Side chair
John Gaines III
(American, 1704–1743)
About 1732–43
Object PlacePortsmouth, New Hampshire
Medium/TechniqueMaple, possibly chestnut
Dimensions102.87 x 48.26 x 43.81 cm (40 1/2 x 19 x 17 1/4 in.)
Credit LineGift of Maxim Karolik
Accession number60.1412
On View
On viewClassificationsFurniture
Collections
Although it contains the customary elements of New England seating furniture in the late Baroque style, this chair breaks the mold in its rounded stiles (rear vertical posts); idiosyncratic, pointed splat design; and tiny, almost vestigial, pad feet. Its most commanding feature is the carved double shell that ornaments the crest rail, capping a distinctive (if somewhat naive) version of an international style as interpreted on the banks of Portsmouth's Piscataqua River.
ProvenanceThe chair was bought in the region of Portsmouth, and owned for some years around 1930 by the dealer Charles H. "Cappy" Stewart of Portsmouth.
about 1790–1800
1725-1750
about 1870–80
