Chair Rail

Datec.1770-1820

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Williamsburg, St. John House

MediumYellow pine; Paint

Dimensions2 1/4" x 6 1/8" x 14 3/4"

Object numberAF-2.37.1

DescriptionThis hand-planed chair rail section has a bolection centered in the width of the flat double-beaded rail. It has surviving 18th-century paint layers from the original house and it represents a common trim design found in Williamsburg during the Revolution.
Label Text[Displayed with AF-2.37.3]
We have a baluster and chair rail section from a late-18th century house that used to stand near where the Williamsburg Inn is located. These two elements from the "St. John House" are important because they have the only surviving 18th-century paint layers from the original house and they represent designs that were common here during the Revolution. A section of the stair was reused in the reconstructed Red Lion on Duke of Gloucester Street and highlights our need to preserve and protect not only our original buildings, but our reconstructed ones as well.
InscribedSmall piece of paper fastened to end of fragment with masking tape: "St. John House.":
ProvenanceSt. John House