Previous Offerings or Gone to New Homes
A Period Turned Great-Chair with Oversized Pommels
New London County, Connecticut, Circa 1700
A Classic Example of Early Connecticut Craftsmanship SOLD
Maple and ash, great red painted surface
Although the Heart and Crown Collection New London County turned chair has sustained some damage
and loss, it retains the characteristics that define its type. The slats retain their original elaborate,
shaped profiles that are lost or damaged on many other examples. The posts have been extended 3”
below the original lower stretchers. The finials are intact other than the replacement of a small section
of their rounded front faces that were removed to accommodate a horizontal brace accommodating
early upholstery. An ancient loss of approximately 40% of the proper-left handgrip has been expertly
restored. The splint seat is exceedingly old and may date to the 18th-century. The red paint is probably
of 18th-century origin. Extensive tool marks are visible beneath this pigment, indicating that the chair
has never been refinished or heavily cleaned. One of the side rails projects through the back-post. This
is not evidence of damage or restoration. When the chair was made, the turner miss-bored the mortise
for the seat-rail and drilled entirely through the post. Rather than abandoning the post, he simply drove
a wedge through the protruding back end of the seat-rail to secure it in place.
References
A nearly identical chair is in the collection of Winterthur Museum and is illustrated in American Seating
Furniture, 1630-1730, p. 126, catalog entry 15.
A group of some thirty highly distinctive, slat-back turned great chairs represent the single largest
recognizable group of 17th-century New England chairs. Although varying slightly in design and
execution, the chairs are configured with impressive lemon-shaped finials, posts turned with deep urns,
and heavy sequences of incised lines. The deeply scored barrel-form arms are set in angled mortises,
raking sharply from back to front. Three slats designed with upper edges shaped with the profile of
opposing brackets form the back. Instead of the ball-form handgrips common on 17th-century turned-
chairs, the front-posts terminate in massive pommels that often exceed the diameter of the posts by
300%. This latter feature constitutes the most iconic diagnostic trait and an indication of the high value
of these chairs when new as the added work involved in their creation substantially increased labor
and cost.
Many of the chairs were discovered in the Eastern Connecticut towns of New London, Norwich,
Colchester, Lebanon, and Preston under circumstances that indicate that they had yet to reach antique
status when they were found, it is unlikely that they had not strayed far from their point of
manufacture. The stylistic elements of the New London County chairs deviate substantially from 17th-
century English chair design practice. The extravagant finials and shaped slats are far more consistent
with Dutch turning tradition. Although no craftsmen of Dutch descent have been documented in
Eastern Connecticut, the possibility exists that a yet unidentified artisan from the Nederland’s may have
been living and working in the vicinity of New London. This chair is an emblematic example of the
group, possessing the full set of highly recognizable structural and ornamental traits.
(Height: 45.75”; Seat Height: 16.75”; Width: 24.5”; Depth: 18.5”)
SOLD
745-151
Necessary Chair, Delaware Valley,
5-Slat Ladder-back Armchair,
Deep Apron,
A Superb Country Chamber Chair,
Close Chair in Original Surface,
Circa 1760
Maple with some figure and a lovely patina
- SOLD
The slats being arched on top and bottom edges, the pointed bulb finals, the plain turned stiles, the flattened undercut arms, the ball and ring feet and baluster turnings are confidently assigned to Delaware River Valley shop traditions. The turner and joiner, makers of this chair, were quite competent; small size, successful proportions; apron design and slip seat all work in concert. The deep apron with fantastic profile joining the block and turned posts is secured by thirty-two wood pegs, eight each leg. The potty-board and the frame on which it sat…facilitating the chamber pot is long gone, all else fine and original. (Height: 43.5"; seat height: 17.5"; width: 24.75"; depth: 17.25")
1260-1 - SOLD
Windsor Fan Back Armchair, Brace Back, Carved Volutes, Knuckle Terminals
Probably Nantucket, Massachusetts (White pine seat rather than yellow poplar)
Circa 1775
A coastal Massachusetts chair inspired by Philadelphia traditions yet having a diagonal grained white pine seat; this chair features legs that have yet to morph to the later tapering legs. (Ball-foot legs were no longer in favor) The chair wears old and thinning red paint, although attractive; not contemporary to chair. - SOLD
(H: 43.5", seat H: 17", W: 26.25", D: 21.5")
570-457 - SOLD
Windsor Fan back Side Chair, Wonderful Saddle Seat and Proportions
Likely Northern New Hampshire or Vermont, circa 1790 to 1800
A very handsome example in old paint - SOLD
(Excellent condition; H: 36.5”, seat H: 17”)
1187-5 - SOLD
Chippendale Side Chair, Pierced Splat, Cabriole Legs, Ball and Claw Feet, Shell Carved
Pennsylvania, Likely Philadelphia, Circa 1760 to 1780
Possibly original surface - SOLD
Serpentine crest rail centering carved shell on raking stiles and pierced splat; trapezoidal slip-seat within through-tenoned seat rails on frontal cabriole legs continuing to claw and ball feet and chamfered rear legs (H: 40.5”, W: 22.5”, D: 17”)
270-144 - SOLD
Paint Decorated Writing Arm Windsor Armchair, Original Paint and Decoration
New England, probably Massachusetts or New Hampshire
Circa 1820
Outstanding painted freehand decoration and surface quality - SOLD
A handsome chair in original condition; the paint decorated tablet with stepped-down ends above turned, flattened and bent posts flanking seven-rods; scrolled arm and generously proportioned writing leaf above the carved seat with incised line outlining the spindle-rail. The seat is raised on bamboo-turned legs joined by box stretcher. The chair remains in superb original condition including the original painted surfaces and decoration. There is a tight shrinkage crack in writing leaf; a molded cleat was affixed to the underside during the chairs working life guaranteeing the integrity, all else fine and original. (H: 35”; writing H: 29.5”; seat H: 17”; W: 27”; D: 30.75”)
532-95 - SOLD
Windsor Continuous Arm Brace Back Armchair, Green Paint
Rhode Island, Circa 1780 - SOLD
(Excellent condition, old repaint; H: 36.5”, seat H: 16.5”, W: 21.5”, D: 20”)
1138-6 - SOLD
Matched Set of Six Painted and Stenciled Fiddle back Side Chairs, Cane Seats
Probably New England, Circa 1830 to 1850 - SOLD
Scrolling crest above Vasiform splat, turned legs, stretchers; outstanding stenciling
Avg. H: 33.25"; avg. seat H: 16.5"; avg. W: 17"; avg. D: 16.5"
127-20 - SOLD
Windsor Bow Back Armchair, Accumulated Painted Surface History
Rhode Island, Circa 1780
Displaying original surface history, mustard yellow over original green paint - SOLD
To view cognates please see American Windsor Chairs by Nancy Goyne Evans, the comparison is figure 6-18; also, Windsor Chair Making in Rhode Island by Nancy Goyne Evans, pp. 115-134, figure 9; published within Art & Industry in Early America – Rhode Island Furniture, 1650-1830. [Patricia Kane, Yale University Art Gallery]
(Dimensions: H: 36.25”; seat H: 17”; W: 27”; D: 15”)
492-145 - SOLD
Armchair, Ladder Back Great Chair, Robust Turning, Arched Slats, Scrolled Arms
Likely New Hampshire, 18th Century
Large and comfortable, great finials, full height - SOLD
(H: 47.75"; seat H: 18"; W: 22.25"; D: 20")
1100-4 - SOLD
Corner Chair, Roundabout, Spanish Foot
New Hampshire, 18th Century
Maple - SOLD
Stepped pillow crest continuing to flat curved arms ending in circular out-turned handholds supported by turned posts above rush seat raised on block and baluster turned legs joined by double box stretchers. The front leg is raised on a Spanish foot with others raised on turned feet. Nice old brown color.
(H: 31.5"; seat H: 18"; W: 27.75"; D: 23")
1100-5 - SOLD
Pair of Bow Back Windsor Armchairs
Boston, Massachusetts
Circa 1800
(See American Windsor Chairs by Nancy Goyne Evans, figs. 6-213-215). - SOLD
The heavy, square-cornered, S-curved arm supports on bow-back armchairs originated in Boston; an interpretation of the Philadelphia model (as discussed in Evans) with variation in the arm supports. The bamboo spindles of Boston chairs are also better modeled, and the bow waists are more pinched. The bow faces mimic the Philadelphia model, being crowned with a scratch bead at either edge. More typical of New England work is the flat bow face with scratch beads.
Please note that there is some variation in the subject chairs when compared to those published within American Windsor Chairs, although the two documented chairs in the book are from the same shop-William Seaver and Nathaniel (not James) Frost-one of several Boston shops active during this period. The seat shaping and the proportions of the bamboo legs vary from shop to shop.
There is only one other instance of the use of squared, S-curved arm posts in American Windsor Chairs, and that is in the Rhode Island chairs of fig. 6-16. These chairs are 20 years earlier in date, however, and they represent a short-lived independent interpretation, which probably owes more to English than to American design.
475-93 - SOLD
William and Mary Banister Back Armchair, Great Chair, Outstanding
Connecticut Shoreline, Rhode Island to Guilford Area, Circa 1750 to 1790
Displaying Exquisite Design and Masterful Craftsmanship - SOLD
The tall post finials; tight composition of crest and banister rails, downsloping carved ribbed arms, graceful turnings; robust stretcher and front post mushroom finials are spectacular. (Overall very good and tight condition, nice old color; one-inch of front legs and 3-inches of rear post, at feet, expertly ended; else fine. H: 48"; seat H: 17.5"; W: 25"; D: 15.5")
1113-1 - SOLD
Wing Chair, Chippendale, Serpentine Crest & Wings, Molded Arms, Square Legs
New England, Likely Massachusetts, 18th Century
Mahogany, maple and white pine - SOLD
A period chair, circa 1760ish; the serpentine cresting and sides on outward-scrolling arms; the frame raised on frontal Marlborough legs joined to rear raking legs by square stretchers. (Generally very good overall condition, slight loss of height; simple rails added by upholsterer between seat frame and arms. Dimensions: H: 46.5"; W: 35"; D: 24.25"; seat H: 12.5")
1108-1 - SOLD
Banister Back Armchair, Great Chair, Old Surface
Stratford, Connecticut
Second half Eighteenth Century - SOLD
Shapely crest rail above four molded bannister splats flanked by turned stiles having ball-on-urn finals; arms with scrolled handhold above trapezoidal seat; the legs joined by double box-stretcher system; the front stretchers turned. The original feet remain intact; some imperfections to seat caning at right proper seat rail; in generally excellent condition. For similar examples see, Robert Trent's Hearts & Crowns, (New haven Colony Historical Society, 1997)
(Dimensions: 46.25" H, 16.5" seat H, 27" W, 19.75" D.)
336-122 - SOLD
Corner Chair, Roundabout, Old Black paint, Spanish Foot, Old Black Paint
New England
18th Century - SOLD
The stepped pillow crest continuing to scrolling arms featuring out-turned handholds supported by block and baluster turned posts centering serpentine splats above rush seat raised on block and baluster-turned legs joined by turned box stretcher; the chair features a Spanish or brush type front foot with others being turned-ball feet. (Very good condition; H: 32.75", seat H: 17", W: 17.5", D: 17.5")
572-46 - SOLD
Windsor Sack Back Arm Chair, Old Black Painted Surface Over Green
New England
Circa 1800 - SOLD
A comfortable chair featuring outwardly scrolled handholds and old black paint; the D-shape saddle seat is nicely carved and is raised on turned legs joined by medial stretcher. (H: 35"; seat H: 16.5"; W: 22"; D: 15.25")
168-9 - SOLD
William and Mary Banister Back Side Chair, Old Black Paint
Chelmsford, Massachusetts
18th Century
This form is unique to Chelmsford - SOLD
The arched and spurred crest centered by knopped urn finals atop turned posts flanking four turned and split spindle banisters over trapezoidal seat raised on block and turned legs joined by stretchers.
(H: 45.25"; seat H: 17"; W: 19"; D: 13.75")
1022-1 - SOLD
Carved Side Chair, Portsmouth School, Pierced Splat, Slip Seat
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Late 18th Century
Birch, probably original surface - SOLD
A wonderful side-chair displaying characteristics assigned to the shop traditions of Robert Harrold or Langdon; certainly Portsmouth; medial stretcher joined to side stretchers by blind mortise and tenon, corner braces set into rails. Fine condition (H: 37.5"; seat H: 17"; W: 21"; D: 16")
410-114 - SOLD
Windsor Armchair, Sack Back, Wonderful Paint, Tall and Balanced
New England
Circa 1800
Understated elegance, great color and surface history - SOLD
(H: 41.5"; Seat H: 17 5/8")
191-363 - SOLD
Jacobean Side Chair, Carved, Cane Back and Seat
England
Late 17th Century
Beachwood, oak, mixed woods - SOLD
The openwork scrolled crest above tapering stiles centering the caned back, caned (imperfection) trapezoidal seat above turned, carved and scrolled front legs ending in ball feet; rear legs are blocked and turned. The legs are joined by block and ring turned stretcher; front legs joined by carved openwork stretcher.
Great surface, probably original; typical minor age defects
Dimensions: 48" H, 18.75" seat H, 17.75" W, 14.5" D.
240-162 - SOLD
Braced Bow-Back Windsor Armchair
Pipe-Stem Spindles...mahogany arms
Probably Rhode Island
Circa 1775-1785 - SOLD
The pipe-stem spindles are received by the double incised bow as are two spindles forming the brace back; down-sloping double-incised mahogany arms with scrolled handholds rest on baluster and ring turned supports and delicate pipe stem spindles. The well defined shaped-saddle-seat with incised gutter is raised on baluster and ring turned legs joined by robust stretchers that are bold in their swelling and tapering. The chair remains in excellent condition; surface has been cleaned to expose old green paint. (Height: 38.5"; seat height: 17.25".)
514-156 - SOLD
Heart and Crown Arm Chair
Connecticut, probably Milford or Fairfield area
Maple, ash and poplar
Circa 1720 to 1750 - SOLD
A rare and very good example of the form featuring cutout heart within the domed and pierced crest rail above four molded banisters centered by robust turned back posts and finials; a variant of the "heart and crown" tradition. The shaped arms and handholds above a turned stretcher joining front and back posts; trapezoidal seat raised on turned legs joined by double front and side turned stretchers. The chair has a rich patina and remains in fine condition having lost less than one" of height. (H: 46.25"; seat H: 16 3/8"; W at widest point is 24 3/8") See Connecticut Furniture of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries, Wadsworth Athenaeum, 1967; plates 211 and 212 for nearly identical examples.
178-1 - SOLD
Queen Anne Side Chair
Essex County, Massachusetts
Circa 1760
Maple - SOLD
The carved yoke top rail joined by plain tapered spooned-stiles centering the graceful spooned splat and incised lower rail; trapezoidal seat with corner blocks above vigorously turned legs ending in shapely turned pad feet. The legs are joined by turned box stretcher; exuberant ball and ring front stretcher that is complimented by pronounced side and rear stretchers; side stretchers with central groves, ridges and tapered ends. The rear stretcher swells at center and is incised. The chair is in a nice old, possibly original surface. (Height: 40.75"; seat height: 17.5"; width: 18.75"; depth: 15".)
197-15 - SOLD
Pair of Windsor Bow Back Side Chairs
New England
In Later Green Paint
Circa 1800 - SOLD
Nine tapered and swelling spindles within incised bow above the shield shaped seat, raised on bamboo turned legs joined by "H" stretcher. The chairs are full height.
Dimensions: height to back- 37.875"; seat- 17.75" tall, 17.5" wide and 15" deep.
223-13 - SOLD
Banister Back Armchair, William and Mary, Deeply Carved Crest Rail
Probably New Bedford, Massachusetts
Circa 1750 - SOLD
An arm and bottom front stretcher is replaces, other minor imperfections reflected in price.
Dimensions: 48.75" H, 18" seat H, 23.75" W, 20.25" D.
843-168 - SOLD
Windsor Bow Back, Sack Back Armchair, Old Painted Surface
New England
Circa 1800 to 1810 - SOLD
A commodious chair with beautifully carved seat and wonderful surface, remaining at full height. (H: 37.5"; seat H: 17")
556-59 - SOLD
Windsor Side Chair, Fan Back, Old Dry Reddish Brown Surface
Attributed to James Chapman Tuttle
Salem, Massachusetts
Circa 1795 to 1802
Branded under seat with owner's initials "JDN" - SOLD
The shaped crest with ears above eight turned spindles flanked by turned posts a saddle seat, on ring, reel, and baluster-turned legs joined by H-stretcher; all in the stylistic tradition of the Tuttle shop.
For nearly identical documented Tuttle Windsor chairs see Nancy Goyne Evans, American Windsor Chairs, pp 366 and 367, fig. 6-219. Tuttle first advertised Windsor chairs in 1796. According to Evans, his chairs are the only Windsor chairs identified as being of Salem origin. Excellent condition, good surface; H: 36.5"; seat H: 17.5"; W: 17"; D: 17".
431-62 - SOLD
Rocking Chair, Windsor, Original Paint Decoration and painted Rush Seat
19th Century
American
Delicate bamboo turnings, painted rush seat, berry and foliate decoration - SOLD
(H: 32"; seat H: 13.25"; W: 19.25"; D: 28.75")
270-97 - SOLD
Windsor Sack Back Armchair, Good Form and Color, Comfortable
Massachusetts or Connecticut
Circa 1780 to 1790 - SOLD
Robust turnings, shaped seat, tight and functional, good surface
Excellent condition (H: 37.25"; seat H: 18"; W: 20.25"; D: 15.75")
336-109 - SOLD
William and Mary Banister Back Side Chair
Chelmsford, Massachusetts
18th Century - SOLD
The arched and spurred crest centered by knopped urn finals atop the turned posts flanking four turned and split spindle banisters over trapezoidal seat with front corner blocks raised on block and turned legs joined by stretchers.
Dimensions: 46" H, 16.75" seat H, 19.5" W, 14" D.
107-122 - SOLD
Queen Anne Side Chairs, Assembled Pair, Carved Yoke, Spanish Feet
New England
18th Century - SOLD
A lot of two closely related chairs in old surface featuring carved yoke crests above spooned vasiform splat above molded stay-rail; rear posts are molded and taper at top-rail. The trapezoidal seats with corner-blocks above baluster turned and blocked front legs raised on brush feet; back posts and legs tapered and back-swept; the legs joined by turned stretchers. The rush seats are restored and functional. (Dimensions: 41.75" H; 18" seat H; 18.5" W; 14.5" D.)
424-97 - SOLD
Chairs, Banister Back, Set of Four
Chelsmford, Mass.
C. 1730. - SOLD
Descended in one family, and picked from the estate by the current owners. Arm chair 47.25" Tall with 16.25" seat; Side Chairs 46" tall with 17.5" seats. Still sturdy.
977-25 - SOLD
Rocking Chair, Hoop Skirt, Original Paint
New York
Circa 1780 to 1830 - SOLD
Four arched splats centered by robust sausage, ring, and compressed ball turned posts; the tall finals are original. The out-swept arms with carved scrolled handholds rest on turned support that pierces seat rail, tapers and is let-into barrel turning of upper-side-stretcher. The trapezoidal seat retains original splint and is raised on turned legs joined by stretcher system.
This example, always a rocker, remains in a high state of originality including rockers; one arm-support is an early working period carved "make-do".
(Height: 41.5"; seat height: 14.5"; width: 24.5"; depth: 25.5".)
940-1 - SOLD
Armchair, Ladder Back
New England
Mid 18th Century
Maple - SOLD
This chair having three arched slats, robustly turned front and back posts, and finials; down swept carved arms above trapezoidal seat...the legs joined by turned box stretcher system, the front stretchers are sausage turned. Old surface. (Height: 43.25"; seat height: 16.5"; width: 25.5"; depth: 17".)
637-62 - SOLD
Square-Back Windsor Side-Chairs
With Decorated Medallions...in old surface
New England
Circa 1820 - SOLD
As depicted, the top rail above crest-medallion ornamented with painted shield and leafy sprays; as is often encountered with duck-bill backs, the employment of false mitered corners where crest rail meets back post. Seven turned and tapered spindles above shield-shaped seat raised on incised legs joined by box stretcher. Wonderful dry painted surface. (Height: 33.5"; seat height: 18"; width: 16.75"; depth: 16.25".)
637-67 - SOLD
Ladder-Back Armchair...in great red paint
New England
Circa 1730-1780
Maple and ash - SOLD
As depicted, four shaped splats centered by turned and incised rear posts retaining original finials. The front posts with large handholds, and rear posts are similarly turned and incised and are joined by robust arms and double stretcher arrangement. The trapezoidal seat is woven ash-splint and may be original. Lovely crusty 19th century red paint over darker paint; great surface and patina.
The rear legs are ended-out with 3.75" being pieces; front legs are ended-out with 2.5" being pieced.
Height: 44"; seat height: 17"; width: 23.5"; depth: 15.5".
629-4 - SOLD
Pair Of Windsor Fan-Back
Side Chairs
New England
Circa 1800 - SOLD
Arched crest with upswept ears above seven spindles flanked by tapered bamboo turned stiles above saddle shaped seat raised on splayed turned legs joined by turned H-form stretcher. Old black paint. (Height: 36"; seat height: 16.5"; width: 16.25"; depth: 15.5".)
731-39 - SOLD
Sheraton Fancy Chairs, Curly Maple, Set of Seven
American Country Formal
Circa 1840 to 1850 - SOLD
A set of seven fancy chairs constructed of curly and birds eye maple that were made during the first half of the 19th century; possibly Connecticut. Each side chair in the Hitchcock (or local competing shop) style; the bolster top rails joined to back-swept stiles with rolled ears. Centering the stiles are scrolled splats above plain splats. The trapezoidal woven rush seats with corner blocks feature turned and split front rail molding and conforming flat side and back moldings. The seats are raised on cylindrical turned and splayed legs joined by stretches...the front stretches being ambitiously turned. This set of chairs is functional and ready for family use. (Height: 34.25"; seat height: 18.5"; width: 17.75"; depth: 15.75".)
793-1 - SOLD
Set Of Six Windsor Side Chairs
With maker's stencil...
Walter Corey
Portland, Maine
Circa 1844-1855 - SOLD
The stenciled name and address on each seat bottom-Walter Corey Manufacture-Nos. 52 and 54 Exchange Street-Portland, ME. assigns the period of manufacture to the 1844-1855 period. During the 1840's the loaf shaped tablet was a popular Corey shop tradition. Standard decoration includes bunches of grapes, detailed leaves and tendrils; by graining, stenciling and trimming in paint...this matched set of five with one closely related chair having the same stencil is decorated as described above. The decorated tablet above turned posts centering four tapering spindles above the shaped plank seat with a half-round piece of wood attached to the front underside of seat producing a full roll. The seat is raised on turned legs that are stylistically within the Corey shop tradition ending in ball feet that are joined by the turned box stretchers. The chairs are functional; some imperfections. (Height: 32.5"; seat height: 17.5"; width: 15.75"; depth: 14.5".)
547-1 - SOLD
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