Child's slat-back high chair

1775-1850

Measurements

43-3/4 in x 18 in x17 in

Materials

Maple, rush seat

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation

Accession Number

1960.395

Condition Notes

The foot rest and the left dowel support are replacements; the right appears to be an older replacement. The lower front and right stretchers are replacements. The seat looks very old and is possibly original.

Provenance

The high chair was acquired from Armstrong’s Antique Shop in Delaware City, Delaware, with an oral tradition of having been made locally.

Comments

High chairs raised the child in a seat some 30 inches (or average table height) from the floor, enclosed him or her within arms, usually offered a footrest, and had splayed legs for added stability. Some high chairs had wood bars across the front to further restrain the child, but flexible ties also worked. Most high chairs were inexpensive, turned chairs, like this one.  It follows the general practices of turned, slat-back chairs, notably in the graduated sizes of the arched slats, although on this chair, the two middle slats are the same size.  The finials and arms also follow full-size examples.  The red paint on the chair looks very old (and may be original).  It is worn from use, giving the chair an attractive appearance.

Bibliography

Zimmerman, A Storied Past, 1969-1970.