Set of Seven American Federal Dining Chairs, circa 1805-1815

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Set of Seven American Federal Dining Chairs, circa 1805-1815

About the Item

This is a delightful set of period American Federal Dining Chairs, almost certainly New York City c. 1805-1815. The "bell-shaped" seat and square back was commercially successful only in New York City and Philadelphia, the only two centers that consistently produced the form. This set is particularly attractive with the unusual front legs, each deeply reeded and tapered, set on a cant with the seat - the effect is wonderful, lightening the shape of the chairs, particularly as the bell-shape juxtaposes the square austerity of the neoclassical profile. Each back is crafted identically, the crest dropping onto the stiles and spindles with small tenons; the plain square back is deeply reeded, terminating into the seat with a shaped panel return. The back side of the splat reveals a canted frame and stiles, squaring at the seat frame to flow into backswept square rear legs. The seat frames are American Ash [visual analysis, not micro-analysis] with [possibly] cherry medial stretchers; the craftsmanship is quite ingenious, as the round of the seat would naturally place the most pressure on where the stiles join the frame. To protect the chairs from this, a medial stretcher dovetails into either side, the gap filled with a thin piece to distribute pressure along the stretcher evenly. The only chair where this is not the case is the arm chair, where the length of the arm acts as a square and removes the need for this labor intensive seat joinery. The back rail of each seat is branded "M B" and each chair is numbered on the medial stretcher, leading us to believe the original set had at least twenty chairs in it. For serious collectors of early American Federal antique furniture, this is a fine selection indeed. Measurements: [arm chair] 20 1/8" wide x approximately 20" deep x 34" high to crest; 17" high to seat; [side chairs - slight variation between chairs; dimensions are for one chair] 20 3/8" wide x approximately 20" deep x 34 1/2" high; 17" high to seat Condition: Overall: Several repairs, many interior corner blocks replaced though enough original blocks remain to have a strong consistency in determining original construction. Finish probably not original on the chairs, though the current surfaces are quite early and preserved under later waxings. Some chairs heavily sunbleached, particularly on the backs of the chairs; some chairs have a speckling to the finish. Repairs, particularly glued cracks in the splats, stiles, a few legs, etc. Two chairs have some wood replaced on the seats (the outer edge where repeated upholstery deteriorates the frame). All "shoes" of the chairs are cracked and tacked with some later nails. All chairs upholstery exhibit wear, minor stains and discolorations. All chairs are sturdy and strong. Chair One (arm chair): Stamped "MB"; one original block with six original nails; all other blocks replaced. Tiny patch to back of 2nd spindle from the left; tenon repair to the base of the right arm support. Chair Two: Stamped "MB" "0 D" - this might be a 10 or a mistake; minor crack to left stile; two holes in back seat rail; patch to top 1" of front left leg; two front blocks replaced. Outside of seat rails patched with fresh wood due to deterioration from repeated upholstery. Chair Three: Stamped "MB" "20"; original blocking, one block lacking it's original iron nails and instead glued back in place; back rail is double nailed, these seeming to be original or at least quite early; some color loss throughout; old repaired crack to the side of the front-left leg. Chair Four: Stamped "MB" "14"; repair to front-left leg with visible scars; minor splat repairs at corners; original blocking - the interior is untouched; discolored and sunbleached surface with much finish variation. Chair Five: Stamped "MB" and possibly "13 3" - presumably "13" though since the first 3 was poorly impressed the brander did so again; front two blocks replaced, a screw driven through both of the front legs beneath the upholstery and through these corner blocks for strength; finish on back of chair is speckled; top right corner of splat is repaired. Chair Six: Stamped "MB" "1"; stiles are supported on either side with molded mahogany affixed on either side at the seat frame; much of the outer layer of the original seat frame replaced with fresh wood due to deterioration from repeated reupholstering; missing one medial brace (behind the dovetailed medial brace); front blocks replaced; one block added to support the dovetailed medial brace; back of splat spindles patched on the lowest 1"; chipping to right top corner of splat along with a patch to the back and repair to the front. Chair Seven: Stamped "MB" "2"; left stile spliced, but it appears to be original - possibly repaired, as some glue is visible in the crevice and this should have long ago worn away; front two blocks original, the nails since removed and blocks re-glued back in place for strength and a screw driven through each of the front legs and through these blocks for stability; heavily discolored and somewhat damaged finish, particularly the back of the splat, this likely due to the back facing a window for an extended period of time. Visit our website for an extensive collection of additional images.

Dimensions:
Height: 34 in (86.36 cm)Width: 20.13 in (51.14 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)Seat Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 7
Style:
Federal (Of the Period)
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1805-1815
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. See condition notes.
Seller Location:
Shippensburg, PA
Reference Number:
Seller: 130210WXD051stDibs: LU105901250632