5-slat nursing chair

1830-1880

Measurements

40-1/8 in x 17 in x 16-1/2 in

Materials

Maple, rush (seat)

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, The David Wilson Mansion, Inc.

Accession Number

1971.572

Condition Notes

The bottom 2-1/2 inches of the rear legs have been repaired.  The front stretcher is worn near the ends from sitters’ use.

Provenance

Bequest of Dr. and Mrs. J. Newberry Reynolds to The David Wilson Mansion, Inc., in 1942.

Comments

This chair has a low seat-height, only about 13 inches.  Chairs with low seat heights, made in the 18th and 19th centuries in both turned and framed versions, accommodated nursing.  Often called “slipper chairs” today, they were called nurse or nursing chairs in the period.

Although this chair is similar in appearance to other slat-back chairs from the Delaware Valley, its tall, ovoid finials and single turned ring in the front legs suggest a later time of fabrication.  Another indicator of a later date lies in the pinning used to hold it together.  Unlike 18th century chairs in which only the top slat was pinned to the stiles, all of these slats are pinned as are the rungs or stretchers.  A reddish clear finish covers the chair.