American New England Knuckle Arm Sack Back Windsor Chair, c. 1780-1800

Item # 130102JGG13

Materials: Poplar (seat), Maple (legs, stretchers, arm supports, outside and underside of knuckles), Oak (arm rail, crest rail), Hickory (spindles)

This is a very fine American Sack Back Knuckle Arm Windsor Chair, crafted in the New England States, probably Massachusetts or Rhode Island c. 1780-1800. It is a high style piece, the six long and tapered hickory spindles tapering through the round oak crest rail, this wrapping in a perfect arch to tenon through the oak arm rail, which continues out to terminate in carved knuckle arm holds. The arm holds are pieced, the oak arm rail forming the primary interior while the rest of the knuckle on the side and bottom are of carved maple, attached to the arm rail with tiny wooden pins. The flow and precision of these knuckles brings the entire chair's form together, being both bold and comfortable as they splay outward on either side.

The arm rail rests upon turned maple arm supports, these with a slightly swollen medial baluster embellished with paired parallel scratched-bead channels crowned and footed with very sharp ring turnings. The oval seat is scooped and carved, a thin grooved channel framing the spindles, the wear of the seat revealing much of the earlier layers of red paint. The legs tenon through the seat in the normal fashion, these with the common ring-and-baluster turnings terminating in a long tapered foot, contracting slightly faster than a smooth taper would dictate in the Rhode Island manner. The H-form stretchers have a soft swell, the medial stretcher with ring-turnings on either side.

Perhaps what makes this form so successful is the same thing that has led to some looseness in it's joints: the chair has an action-oriented profile, leaning almost forward like it is ready to start a race. While a more squared leg splay would be stronger and more well-balanced, this chair was not designed to be a restive form. This is a special piece, an investment grade American work of art for serious collectors of New England Windsors and American furniture. With a well developed patina in what is probably a late 19th Century green painted surface over a slightly earlier red painted surface, it is a striking and very attractive piece - this is a chair you will treasure in your collection for a lifetime.

Measurements: 27 3/4" wide arm to arm, 17 1/2" deep foot to foot, approximately 20" deep overall; 37 5/8" high to crest rail, 17 3/4" high to seat

Condition Report: Earliest layer of paint on the chair appears to be the red, which was later covered with the dark green - neither of these are likely the original color in our opinion. Both are significantly worn with an absolutely wonderful rubbed patina, several layers of wax appearing to be preserving all surfaces. Joint separations and joint weakness in the stretchers and legs - these should be secured with hide-glue at some point if you plan to use the chair functionally. Dings and abrasions throughout. Overall very fine condition.

Item ID: 130102JGG13