Side chair

Status

Not on view

Label Text

The early histories of this square-back chair and a virtually identical example in Mount Vernon's collection are unknown, but their similarity to documented Virginia-made chairs suggests they also could have been made in the Chesapeake. Beading along all their straight surfaces - including the crest, stiles, and stretchers - unifies and ornaments their otherwise spare form.

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Date1770-1800

Geography Possibly made - United States

Medium/TechniqueMahogany (primary)

DimensionsOverall (H x W x D): 37 1/2 in. x 20 5/8 in. x 19 in. (95.25 cm x 52.4 cm x 48.26 cm)

Credit LineMount Vernon Collection Conservation courtesy of The Founders, Washington Committee Endowment Fund

Object numberM-177

DescriptionSquare-back side chair with straight crest rail, outward flaring stiles, solid vasiform splat, trapezoidal seat frame with beaded top edge, and square, straight or Marlborough front legs beaded on their outside corners and joined by box stretchers, that at the rear mounted higher between the rear legs. Crest rail and stiles are flat on front with beaded outside edges and rounded at back. Stiles single-pegged at juncture with crest rail; front, side, and rear seat rails single-pegged at each joint, that at the proper right front with a large square rather than small round peg; through tenons at stiles. Side and rear stretchers beaded along their top outside corner. Raked-back, square rear legs. All legs chamfered on the inside corners.

An additional board has been screwed to the inside of each side seat rail and secured with L-braces to the front seat rail. The front stretcher is believed to be a replacement.

Trapezoidal slip-seat upholstered in a neutral linen printed with an alternating pattern of pairs of red stripes and meandering blue lace intertwined with flowering vines; a black synthetic spun-bonded textile covers the bottom.

MarkingsInscribed on the inside of the rear rail in curved marks: "III".

Mount Vernon's object research is ongoing and information about this object is subject to change. For information on image use and reproductions, click here.