Side chair with a balloon-shaped splat and upholstered seat.
Identifier
FPF493
Title
Side chair with a balloon-shaped splat and upholstered seat.
Date
1800-1820
Description
Side chair with a balloon-shaped splat and upholstered seat.
Full Description
This mahogany side chair has an arched crest rail above a balloon-shaped veneered splat with boxwood stringing along the outer edges. The crest rail and tapering curved back posts are cross-banded in mahogany veneer on the front faces only. The posts are continuous with square-section and raked back legs. The splat joins a ‘shoe’ fitted on the rear seat rail. The tapered stuff-over seat is raised on square-section, tapered front legs and flared back legs. The legs are joined by an ‘H’-form, square-section cross stretcher. The seat retains its original straw filling under a replaced cover.
This chair is a rare example of a simple and plain version of fashionable neo-classical models such as those illustrated by George Hepplewhite (c. 1727-1786). It is comparable with his shield-back side chairs published posthumously in The cabinet maker and upholsterer's guide, (A. Hepplewhite, 1788). The use of veneer on the splat and back frame was almost certainly to allow a lower grade of mahogany to be used for the structure, which is otherwise unembellished with carving or piercing, and the seat stuffing is straw rather than horsehair; these are signs that this was always intended as an inexpensive chair.
There are a set of six chairs and a further pair of similar design by Hepplewhite at Dinton, Wiltshire (NT 261288.1-6; NT 261324.1-2).
This chair is a rare example of a simple and plain version of fashionable neo-classical models such as those illustrated by George Hepplewhite (c. 1727-1786). It is comparable with his shield-back side chairs published posthumously in The cabinet maker and upholsterer's guide, (A. Hepplewhite, 1788). The use of veneer on the splat and back frame was almost certainly to allow a lower grade of mahogany to be used for the structure, which is otherwise unembellished with carving or piercing, and the seat stuffing is straw rather than horsehair; these are signs that this was always intended as an inexpensive chair.
There are a set of six chairs and a further pair of similar design by Hepplewhite at Dinton, Wiltshire (NT 261288.1-6; NT 261324.1-2).
Condition
The cover is worn, exposing the straw stuffing.
Materials
Mahogany. Boxwood.
Upholstery.
Upholstery.
Physical Dimensions
H. 96
W. 53
D. 50
W. 53
D. 50
Provenance
Acquired for the Collection 16 June 2016.
