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Philadelphia Queen Anne Chairs

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Philadelphia Queen Anne Chairs
Philadelphia Queen Anne Chairs
Philadelphia Queen Anne Chairs

Address

Street
4331 Geisler Ct.
City
Bloomfield Hills
State
MI
Zip
48301
Country
USA

Contact

Email
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Dimensions: Chair A & B - 42 3/4" Ht, 18 1/2" Ht. of seat, 31 3/4" Width of arms
Description:Philadelphia Queen Anne Styled Chairs - A pair of armchairs designed after the Philadelphia Queen Anne style armchair found in the Diplomatic Reception Rooms at the U. S. Department of State.

Interesting notes regarding the armchairs:

PHILADELPHIA QUEEN ANNE ARMCHAIR "A"

DESCRIPTION: One of a pair of armchairs designed after the Philadelphia Queen Anne style armchair found in the Diplomatic Reception Rooms at the U. S. Department of State. (Recently sold at auction for 2.2 million dollars) It has all the characteristics so notable in armchairs that were made in mid- eighteenth century Philadelphia. These include the shape of the seat and manner of attachment of the front legs and rear styles. What makes this chair even more special is that virtually every line in every plane is curved including the stiles that are rounded rather than rectangular.

The heavy bell or compass (rounded) shaped seat has a square interior with an upholstered slip seat retained by a raised curved molding. This edge is shaped out of the front seat rail but is applied to the side rails. The side seat rails are tenoned into the front rail. The top of the front legs is carved into the shape of a dowel, which passes through the seat frame pinning the mortise. The dowel is then wedged to make it more secure. The round stiles and rear legs are one piece of solid walnut and the side seat rails are tenoned and pinned into vertically shaped mortises at a square section in the rear leg stiles. The rear seat rail is also tenoned and pinned into the rear stiles. The flattened sides of the stump rear legs add an additional detail.

The vase shaped splat is made from a piece of highly figured solid walnut crotch. The splat is contained in a carved shoe that is glued to the rear seat rail. The upper portion of the splat is let in to a curved crest rail that is attached to the stiles with mortise and tenon. A central webbed shell that is flanked by four scrolled volutes is carved on the crest rail. The shell carving is repeated on the knee of the front legs that end in stockinged trifed feet. The volutes are also repeated at the ends of the carved arms.

WOODS: Walnut
DIMENSIONS: Height: 42 3/4" Ht. of seat: 18 1/2"
Width of arms: 31 3/4"
DATE: 1991-4
WHERE CONSTRUCTED: Wing Lake, MI.
NOTES: 1. Photographed by Dirk Bakker
2. On the bottom edge of the back of the top chair rail is the inscription "Eat not to Dullness" from Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanac.

PROVENANCE:
1995. Featured in Home Furniture #4, Fall 1995.
1995. Featured in "THE DRAWING BOARD" section of Home Furniture #5, Winter 1995.

CHAIR 'B'

DESCRIPTION: Same as above.
WOODS: Walnut.
DIMENSIONS: Height: 42 3/4" Ht. of seat: 18 1/2" width of arms: 31 3/4"
DATE: 1991-4
WHERE CONSTRUCTED: Wing Lake, MI.
NOTES: Same as above. Inscribed "Drink not to Elevation".
PROVENANCE: Same as above.