Square-back Windsor armchair

Status

Not on view

Date1800-1810

Maker Gilbert Gaw (American, active: 1793 - 1824)

Geography Made - United States

Medium/TechniqueTulip poplar (seat), maple (leg), paint

DimensionsOverall (H x W x D): 33 1/2 in. x 21 1/8 in. x 18 in. (85.09 cm x 53.66 cm x 45.72 cm)

Credit LineBequest of Elizabeth S. Whitaker, 2004

Object numberM-4389

DescriptionSquare-back, double-bow Windsor armchair constructed with bamboo-turned elements throughout, including: four-part back posts; seven, three-part spindles; straight, two-part arms with two-part, raked-forward, arm supports and spindles; and four, four-part, splayed legs with tapered, conical feet joined by three-part box stretchers, those at front and back mounted higher. The lower bow or rod of the back is tenoned through the back posts and wedged. The back posts extend through the upper bow and the seat and are wedged in both places. All of the spindles are tenoned into the seat and alternately are tenoned into the lower bow or extend through it into the upper bow; the center spindle extends through the upper bow and is wedged. The arms cap the arm posts; the arm posts are tenoned through the arm and double-wedged. The saucered, square plank seat with rounded corners has a deep groove outlining the front of the spindle areas that curves down in front of the arm posts to become a bead along the seat's bottom front edge; a continuous bead or groove runs around the entire top edge of the seat. Evidence of a succession of finishes (green, yellow, and black) are visible in the grooves of the turned elements and on the underside of the seat.

A nail is driven into the lower groove on the inside face of each of the front legs.

MarkingsStamped on the underside of the seat at center: "G GAW".

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