Windsor chair identification please | ||
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Posted 5 years ago
wonderingi…
(2 items)
this chair has been upstairs in the family home built in 1830. Five generations have lived and died here. We would like identification for this chair, please. Any help or comments appreciated, thank you for your time!
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Hi, very few posts get me excited like this one has! Absolutely fantastic, I would love this a few more times if possible.
A Windsor chair, no doubt. Made to last the tests of time and quintessential American. Not the fanciest of Windsors, it lacks the elaboration high-end collectors look for. In fact, I could only find 1 other in Wallace Nutting's, "Furniture Treasury." With the straight single post top rail, this was probably made for a lower middle class individual, who were lucky enough to have chairs to sit on.
Let's dissect this one.
Comb-back Windsor, 7 spindle back, most likely turned from maple or whatever was lying around the Cabinetmaker's shop. Nutting refers to a similar chair on plate 2525 as, "Sheraton Influence", early 1800's.
Uncommonly short back (which could help with provenance).
Armrests are tapered posts with Windsor-type supports making this a head of the table chair, not a side chair (much more desirable to collectors).
Legs and stretchers are appropriate for time and period showing great wear. They are "common-person-thin," as the wealthier folk would have ordered thicker, bolder, and stronger turnings with decoration.
Seat, hand scooped pine, again with perfect wear. Underside is rough, unplaned.
The patina on this chair is 100% perfect. Old, worn black milk paint. Can you imagine, people's butts have worn all of the paint away and probably some of the actual wood. True wear. Do not touch this exterior with anything, a dry cloth for dusting is all you need.
For determining provenance, my first question would be where do you live? It is probably a local chair if you found it in your home. Sorry for the type-o's but in a rush, but I had to comment on this. LOVE IT.
-Brett
by asking where do you live, I mean the region of the country...not address or town, lol.
this is so exciting - yes we are cleaning out a 5 generation home that was built around 1830 or 1850 in Rockingham County, NH; farm country back then. No one has been upstairs for at least 50 probably more, years. The sad part is we cannot save the house as she was spinster, no kids, no will, many debts but have 5 heirs which are dealing with this now. It's tough, but nice memories. Thank you so much!
you are welcome, my pleasure, what a great piece to see. I was thinking of New England, but that is pretty broad. I am better versed in New Jersey antiques.
I would have to imagine that the chair was there from the beginning. I am thinking 1810's or 1820's.
If you have any other pieces you are looking for help with please post. The CW community is great for helping solve mysteries and showing your findings. Best of luck with the cleanout.
Thank you so much, again! To me, this makes all the work worth it ! My heros!