Side Chair

Place Made
Winchester Virginia United States of America
Date Made
1790-1810
Medium
walnut –oak –tulip poplar
Dimensions
HOA: 37 1/2; WOA: 21 1/8
Accession Number
3898
Description
DESCRIPTION: Side Chair; pierced back splat set upon horizontal member; arched crest; slightly tapered legs; H-stretcher and one in back; upholstered over the rail; back legs splay slightly; wrought nails; incised lines on posts above seat and on crest rail; serpentine front seat.

UPHOLSTERY: An example of the formal Neoclassical seating furniture from the Valley of Virginia, its “stuffed over the seat” upholstery is a rare feature. Much of the original stuffing was retained and the blue wool fabric is similar to fragments of green found wrought-nailed to the frame. Brass tacking repeats original pattern.

WOODS: Walnut with oak seat rails and poplar blocking.

History
The chair descended in the family of Nathaniel Burwell (1750-1814) of Carter Hall in Frederick (now Clarke) County, Virginia. Burwell was born at Carter’s Grove near Williamsburg, but around 1790 moved to his 8000-acre estate in the lower Shenandoah Valley with a newly built, two-story stone house, Carter Hall.
Credit Line
MESDA Purchase Fund