Lolling chair

1795-1810

Measurements

41-3/4 in x 25 in x 29 in

Materials

Mahogany; unidentified secondary woods

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of H. Rodney Sharp

Accession Number

1958.3273

Condition Notes

This chair has not been examined beneath the upholstery.

Provenance

Ex coll. H. Rodney Sharp

Comments

Popularly and quaintly called a "Martha Washington" chair by collectors and dealers in the early generations of antique collecting, the chair form was termed a "lolling chair" in its time of production.  It was intended as a chair to relax in, in contrast to formal seating that requires upright posture.  The form typically has a tall back, deep seat, and open arms.

This lolling chair has sharp points at the ends of the serpentine crest rail.  The serpentine front seat rail echoes the crest.  The mahogany arms and square-tapered front legs are decoratively molded; the rear legs have no decoration.  The short arms--long enough to rest the sitter's elbows--attach to swept arm supports that in turn attach to the front leg stiles, in a design that is typical of lolling chairs.