Side chair

Status

On view

Date1755-1765

Geography Made - England

Medium/TechniqueChair: mahogany (frame); slip seat: oak, wood (unidentified) Upholstery (modern): Ethafoam, polyester batting, cotton muslin, wool moreen

DimensionsOverall: 38 1/2 in. × 22 in. × 21 3/4 in. (97.79 cm × 55.88 cm × 55.25 cm)

Credit LineAcquired through the generosity of the Christine and Jaime Yordán Foundation, 2016

Object numberM-5520/A-B

DescriptionOne of a set of six side chairs and one armchair with Gothic splat, foliate carved serpentine crest rail, trapezoidal seat frame, straight legs, and H-shaped stretchers. The splat is composed of pierced strapwork of C-scrolls and trefoil motifs. The strapwork is accented with carved leaves and a single carved flower. The crest rail features a central reserve carved with a triple lobed foliate motif and capped with an elongated C-scroll. Attenuated foliage emanates from the ears and forms the edges of the central reserve. The trapezoidal seat frame has vertically oriented rails chamfered along the top edge. The front legs are square in section with chamfering along the inner corners. The rear stiles are rounded on the back above the seat frame and are square in section below it. There are two side stretchers joined by a medial stretcher; all are rectangular in section, vertically oriented, and flat on the top edges.

Construction: Most of the chair is secured with mortice-and-tenon joints. The splat is morticed into the shoe, and the shoe is dadoed into the rear stiles just above the rear rail. The front and side rails are rabbeted out to accommodate the slip seat, while a narrow strip of oak is nailed to the rear rail to accommodate the back edge of the seat. The front rail is strengthened by a single vertically grained glue block at either corner.

MarkingsIncised “IIII” on the inner rail below the shoe.

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