Fine American Federal Period Side Chair on Splayed Legs, New York, circa 1790

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Fine American Federal Period Side Chair on Splayed Legs, New York, circa 1790

About the Item

Exhibiting the finest lines and perfect sense of proportion to be found in any form of the period, this rare and incredibly beautiful chair is a work of art in it's purest expression. Flawless balance of proportions is clearly calculated in each member, every part of the chair bringing harmony to the form. Clearly a form originating in New York, there is a set of chairs identical in almost every detail crafted by John Townsend in Newport, Rhode Island - were it not for that set of chairs being labeled, they would never have been attributed to Newport, as the flared French leg is very rare and almost exclusively found in New York. This form was at one point attributed to the shop of Elbert Anderson in New York due to his label being the only currently documented drawing with this precise chair; however, the discovery of the Townsend chairs and a handful of unattributed chairs with minor variations, the attribution is no longer applied to this form. The pierced splat of the shield back features a three-dimensional carved patera beneath a halo of twisting ribbon, draperies flowing from beneath this into and through carved flowers flanking the patera - this is an almost surreal and remarkable design, juxtaposing architecture against nature until they literally become one, the draperies pouring like liquid from the flower motif. The whole is supported by a flor-de-lis beneath a long acanthus leaf, terminating in a criss-cross of splatwork; note in particular the asymmetrical nature of this criss-crossed splat, very intentionally resulting in distinctly varied angles. The flawless replication of this in each of the four splats indicates a certain genius in the hand of this artisan, his attentions shattering the perfect calculations and mirror symmetry of the rest of the splat. The seat has a soft bow to the front, the upholstery nailed over the edge with a thin row of brass tacks - these have not been removed to examine the original arrangement of the brass tacking, though typically these would flow in a swag or double-pinned formation. The underside of the chair shows some restoration to ensure the chair remains firm and stable - corner blocks were added for strength to the corners, replacing what was probably diagonal dovetailed braces originally, and some necessary patching and splicing to frame is evident. The result is a sturdy and stable chair, very respectfully restored in order to preserve it while allowing it to survive for the next generation. The legs give a distinct elongating effect to the chairs, each molded and outsplayed in the French manner. The legs are flawlessly formed, each tapering in at a uniform but unpredictable rate, curling outward just above the ankle - the molded appeal of the leg is crisp and precise. Of a form that is nearly without peer, the few chairs of this form identified over the last century now reside mostly in museum and private collections. One chair is held in the permanent collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, [acc. no. 2012.63] with provenance from Christies, where it sold in 2012 from the collection of Joseph Ott for $50,000 [sale 2635, lot 156]; the only difference is the legs having stringer inlaid form rather than the molded form in the present chair. Identical form in every detail other than the patera, which is inlaid, can be found in a single side chair offered in the early 1970's by the firm of Israel Sack [American Antiques from the Israel Sack Collection, Vol. III, p. 619 f. 1404]. Similarly catalogued by Israel Sack [American Antiques, Vol. II, p. 536, f. 1263 - attributed to Townsend in Newport] is a c. 1800 example entirely identical, though the legs are stringer inlaid rather than molded. For further reference regarding the rarity and quality of this design, see literature footnotes below. Without question, this chair is one of the most ingeniously designed and planned Federal chairs we've had an opportunity to work with. The craftsman of the chairs elevated the form to sculpture - it is less an example of a merely rare furnishing, but rather a truly artistic accomplishment of sculpted wood in it's most fragile form. With the level of delicacy in the splat and legs, it is a wonder the chair has remained in the current well preserved condition. For very serious collector of American Federal works, as well as museums and private collections, this is an exceptional selection. Literature & Further Reading: John Townsend: Newport Cabinetmaker, Morrison H. Heckscher; cat. 48, "Side Chair c. 1800", p. 181-3. American Antiques from the Israel Sack Collection, Highland House, Vol. II/III, p. 536, 619, 681. American Furniture: The Federal Period 1788-1825, Charles F. Montgomery, p. 107-8, f. 53. Winterthur Museum, Delaware; Acc. no. 1957.0672.002, Originally attr. to Elbert Anderson. Winterthur Museum, Delaware; Acc. no. 1966.0112, labeled by John Townsend. Metropolitan Museum, New York; Acc. no. 2012.63, labeled by John Townsend. In Praise of America: American Decorative Arts, 1650-1830, Wendy A. Cooper, p. 22, 28. Measurements: [dimensions approximate] 22" wide x 20" deep x 38 3/4" high. Condition Report: Chair retains much of the original finish under layers of grime and wax, this being highly oxidized; some abrasions and rubbing of the finish as expected. Reupholstered, this upholstery in mostly good condition with light spots and discolorations. Sturdy and strong, in rare and very pleasing condition. Some cracks and repaired cracks in splat back. Frame blocking restored, all corners with modern blocks screwed into the patched rails; some fresh wood spliced into the dovetailed cuts in the back rail; both the right and left ears of the shield back are repaired; a sliver of the front right foot is patched; a triangular sliver of the back right foot is a spliced patch. We have additional images available upon request.

Dimensions:
Height: 38.75 in (98.43 cm)Width: 22 in (55.88 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)Seat Height: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)
Style:
Federal (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Mahogany,Carved
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
Late 18th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa Late 18th Century
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Shippensburg, PA
Reference Number:
Seller: 310OPA051stDibs: LU105905511813