Continuous-arm Windsor armchair

1790-1800

Measurements

38 in x 21-7/8 in x 17-1/2 in

Materials

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

Credit Line

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

Accession Number

1977.514

Provenance

Ex coll. H. Rodney Sharp

Comments

This engaging Windsor armchair has a single piece of wood bent to form the back bow, and bent again to create the arms.  The tensions created in the wood often result in breaks immediately above the arms.  The top center of the bow is somewhat pointed, a feature of some other Southern New England Windsors of the late 18th century.  A particularly interesting feature is the arch of swellings near the bottom of the back spindles.  One spindle in the right rear corner of the chair drops below the line of swellings.  This misalignment is a maker's error; the complex surfaces of the spindles match, indicating no replacements or alterations.  Most Windsors have an odd number of spindles in the back, but this one has eight.

The seat is a carved shield shape.  The leg turnings employ customary balusters (i.e., vases).  The arm is shaped on the outside.  The entire chair has a brown paint over red over white.

Bibliography

Nancy Goyne Evans, American Windsor Chairs (New York:  Hudson Hills Press in association with The Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, 1996), p. 280, fig. 6-83.