FINE SET OF SIX AMERICAN CHIPPENDALE CARVED BLACK WALNUT SIDE CHAIRS

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27th Semiannual Catalogued Auction of America...

By Jeffrey S. Evans & Assoc., Inc.

Nov 15, 2014 - Nov 16, 2014

Set Reminder 2014-11-15 09:30:00 2014-11-16 09:30:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : 27th Semiannual Catalogued Auction of Americana, Antiques, Fine & Decorative Arts https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/jeffrey-evans/27th-semiannual-catalogued-auction-of-americana-antiques-fine-decorative-arts-318
Jeffrey S. Evans & Assoc., Inc. info@jeffreysevans.com

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• Lot Description
  FINE SET OF SIX AMERICAN CHIPPENDALE CARVED BLACK WALNUT SIDE CHAIRS, a rare group of outstanding seating forms, each shaped crest rail with fluted out swept ears over a complex pierced vasiform splat with interlaced design over two stacked rows of slightly flaring vertical piercings and applied gadrooned strap at base, set into a separate shoe, above a trapezoidal molded-edge seat frame with arched rails and central drop pendant to front rail, all raised on square legs with beaded outside edge joined with box stretcher. Possibly original slip-seat frames constructed of chestnut (by analysis). Each with beautiful historic surface and warm, rich color. Circa 1770-1780. Each 37 1/2" HOA, 19" x 21" seat.
  
  
  Catalogue Note: These fascinating chairs are as beguiling as they are beautiful and exhibit many characteristics associated with multiple chair-making centers in the eastern United States. The splat and crest rail are quintessentially Massachusetts (see the example in this sale attributed to eastern Massachusetts); however, the basic design of the splat and the crest rail are also recognized in a slightly modified form in a group of chairs from Winchester, VA (See Kirk - American Chairs: Queen Anne and Chippendale, p. 156, figs. 212-213). Moreover, the through-tenon of the stiles at the juncture with the crest rail, the applied gadrooned molding at the base of the splat, the simple shaped drop pendant on the front seat rail, and the use of a heavy box-style stretcher are not features typically associated with Massachusetts Chippendale chairs of this type. The through-tenon on the crest rail, on the other hand, is a characteristic documented on Winchester, VA chairs (see Kirk - American Chairs: Queen Anne and Chippendale, p. 61). The applied gadrooned molding to the base of the splat is another complicating factor and is generally associated with Philadelphia Chippendale chairs of the 18th century. The arched rear seat rail, however, is a feature documented on chairs attributed to Robert Walker or William Walker, Jr. in Fredericksburg, VA (see JSE & Associates, June 21, 2014,Lot 434). Taken together, it is not at all unreasonable to conclude that the chairs are Mid-Atlantic in origin, possibly created in the Winchester area by a journeyman craftsman familiar with all of these disparate design elements discussed above. In the case of the present chairs, he may have brought them all into play, modifying the original forms in a way often seen with Southern furniture. Overall, this set of six chairs are fine examples of early American seating furniture in an excellent state of preservation, and their appearance on the market represents a rare opportunity for collectors.

  Condition

  Excellent overall condition. Minor areas of wear. Two examples with replaced applied gadrooned molding and one example with loss of the feature.
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