Slat Back Arm Chair

Period1750 - 1800

MediumMaple, and ash

Dimensions45.25 × 24.38 × 20 in. (114.9 × 61.9 × 50.8 cm)

ClassificationsSeating Furniture

Credit LineGift of Mrs. William C. Riker

Object number1990.628

DescriptionA five slat arm chair consisting of five graduated slats set between rear stiles with flattened ball turnings between the slats, and ending in large ball finials capped with a nipple. The undercut arms of the chair rest atop baluster turned front posts with compressed ball turnings. The feet have been lost. The chair base includes two sausage turned front stretchers, pairs of plain turned side stretchers, and a single plain turned rear stretcher. The chair is missing its second rear stretcher. The rush seat is a recent replacement.
Curatorial RemarksThis large arm chair shares several details in common with those attributed to Michael Maps of West Long Branch, Monmouth County. These features include the use of large ball finials, flattened ball turnings on the stiles, undercut arms, and sausage turned front stretchers. But the workmanship on this chair displays a higher level of skill than do Maps type chairs. Also, the slats are more evenly spaced on the present example. For comparison to Maps, see accession numbers 1992.520 and 2017.2.1.NotesThe old rush seat, replaced recently, had been woven with an open center square to accommodate a chamber pot. That seat was not original to the chair, but in turn a twentieth century replacement.

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