Continuous-arm Windsor

1790-1800

Measurements

37-5/8 in x 22 in x 23-1/2 in

Materials

White pine* (seat), hickory* (bow and spindles), ash* (arm supports), maple* (legs and stretchers)

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of Hugh R. Sharp Jr. and Bayard Sharp

Accession Number

1977.714

Condition Notes

The round tenon of the right rear leg is slightly loose in the seat socket.  The brown paint, which lies over red, is flaking. 

Provenance

Ex coll. H. Rodney Sharp

Comments

A single piece of hickory bent to form the bow of the chair back and bent again to form arms distinguishes this Windsor armchair.  This relatively rare design occurred in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island Windsors (and occasionally elsewhere), but a strong Rhode Island feature lies in the slightly arched range of swellings in the spindles of the back.  This treatment adds visual interest in a manner that echoes the curved bow and overall design of the back.  Another Rhode Island feature is the handhold, richly detailed with scalloping on the outside.

The carved shield-shaped seat is well-contoured, and all of the legs, stretchers, and arm supports are nicely turned.  The chair has a coat of red paint underneath a heavier coating of brown that has begun to fracture and split away with age.