Pair of Chippendale Carved Mahogany Side Chairs

Object Details

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Object Essay

Although this armchair and pair of side chairs are roughly contemporary with the Loockerman chairs, they represent far less costly and therefore much more popular alternatives.^{1_{The armchair discussed in this essay is Acc. No. 78.65 and the pair of side chairs is 78.66.1–.2. For the Collection’s Loockerman chairs, see Acc. No. 71.8, 71.9, 71.20, 71.21, and 73.19.}} The interlaced, scroll strap-work splat of the armchair is uncarved except for two small scrolls at the top, and the stiles and ears are well shaped but also left uncarved. The shell-carved knees, and the way in which the matching shell is contained within the contour of the crest rail with deeply carved volutes, recall Queen Anne-style chairs popular ca. 1750 to 1760.

The same conservatism determined the design of the side chairs, although the mahogany with a lively striped grain chosen for the splat gives the armchair an unusually subtle richness. The patron also opted for scrolled ears, fluted stiles, and an asymmetrical cartouche in place of a shell on the front seat rail. This particular ornament, essentially an enlarged acanthus leaf set within a ruffled shell, like those on the crest of Acc. No. 74.5, is a rare feature. It occurs on at least one other set of chairs and a slab table attributed to Thomas Affleck.^{2_{See Hornor 1935, figs. 323, 234; and Kane 1976, no. 114.}}

The edges of the scrolled ears of the side chairs are not continuous with the molded edge of the stiles, suggesting that the chairs represent a combination of interchangeable components fabricated independently in large cabinet shops. The distinctive semi-circular gouge carving along the ridge of the knees relates to the carving of Acc. No. 66.96 but is evidently the work of a different hand. 

Thomas S. Michie

Excerpted from Clement E. Conger, et al. Treasures of State: Fine and Decorative Arts in the Diplomatic Reception Rooms of the U.S. Department of State. New York: H.N. Abrams, 1991.