Side chair

Status

On view

Label Text

"Neat & plain" style chairs formed the mainstay of many cabinetmakers' businesses in colonial Virginia. In contrast to elaborately carved high-style chairs, examples such as this provided more affordable, yet still fashionable, seating. The "owl's eye" splat seen on this chair, which has no association with the Washington family, is frequently found on chairs made in the Fredericksburg area.

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Date1760-1775

Geography Made - United States

Medium/TechniqueWalnut (primary)

DimensionsOverall (H x W x D): 39 in. x 20 1/2 in. x 17 7/8 in. (99.06 cm x 52.07 cm x 45.42 cm)

Credit LineGift of Dandridge M. Gray, 1986

Object numberM-3015

DescriptionSide chair with an uncarved crest rail featuring a scrolled-back tablet at center and circular ears, a scrolled strapwork or "owl's eye" splat seated within a beaded shoe, a trapezoidal seat frame with rounded top edges, and straight, square or Marlborough front legs joined by box stretchers, those at the front and rear mounted higher. Crest and raked-back rear stiles flat on front and rounded at back; square legs and feet below the seat rail. Flat-arched, horizontally shaped rear seat rail with integral shoe. Stiles tenoned into crest and secured with a single peg; seat rails and stretchers single-pegged at each joint. All legs chamfered on the inside corners. Modern replaced corner blocks.

Trapezoidal slip-seat frame upholstered in a neutral linen; a black synthetic spun-bonded textile covers the bottom of the slip-seat.

Published ReferencesAnn W. Dibble, "Fredericksburg-Falmouth Chairs in the Chippendale Style," Journal of Early Southern Decorative Arts 4/1 (May 1978): 16-18.

MarkingsInscribed on the inside of the rear seat rail: "VI".

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