Side chair

Status

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 3/4 in. x 20 1/2 in. x 19 3/8 in. (95.89 cm x 52.07 cm x 49.23 cm)

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

Object numberM-311

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; through-tenons at stiles. All stretchers beaded along their top, outside corner, that on the front stretcher is almost entirely worn away. Raked-back, square rear legs. All legs chamfered on the inside corners.

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.

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