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Set of 16 Klismos-Form Dining Chairs

About the Item

Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1820. Mahogany (secondary woods: Birch and maple; slip seats: Birch and pine) Measures: 33 1/4 in. high, 18 5/8 in. wide, 19 ¼ in. deep (overall). Ex Coll: Private collection, until 2004; to [Hirschl & Adler Galleries, 2004]; to private collection, 2004 until the present. Exhibited: Hirschl & Adler Galleries, New York, 1999–2000, Boston in the Age of Neoclassicism, 1810–1840, p. 57 no. 21D illus. in color // Hirschl & Adler Galleries, New York, 2001–2002, of the Newest Fashion: Masterpieces of American neoclassical Decorative Arts, pp. 93 cat. 26, 95 illus. in color two chairs from the set / Hirschl & Adler Galleries, New York, 2014-2015, very rich and handsome, p. 30 no. 5 illus. in color two chairs from the set. One of the signature forms of furniture of the neoclassical period in the United States is the klismos chair as interpreted by a group of Boston cabinetmakers in the period circa 1820 (see Page Talbott, “Seating Furniture in Boston, 1810–1835,” The Magazine Antiques CXXXIX [May 1991], pp. 966ff.). These chairs are usually characterized by sabre legs at the front and the back and curved crest rails typically enriched with flaming mahogany veneers, their ends often punctuated by stylized leaves, anthemia, or scrolls, and center splats decorated with leaves, drapery, lyres, etc. Just as it is easy to identify a New York or Philadelphia side, or dining, chair of the period, so Boston chairs have a certain “look” that sets them apart from chairs from all other American cabinetmaking centers in this period. The sumptuous nature of the lotus bud and tulip-carved swags which form the back splats of these chairs is offset by the simplicity of the crest rail, in which oval veneered panels are encircled by a raised molding, and by the reeded stiles which seamlessly sweep down to become first the side-rails and then the front legs of the chairs. Although the form of these chairs relates them to many comparable Boston examples of the period, none of these other chairs feature the paw feet that terminate the front legs of the present set of chairs, a feature that appears to be otherwise unknown on Boston side chairs of this type. Although few Boston chairs of this period have turned up bearing the name of a specific maker, chairs such as these were presumably produced by the likes of the distinguished cabinetmaking firms of Emmons & Archibald, Isaac Vose & Son or William Hancock by whom signed pieces of very considerable quality have been identified. Condition: Very fine. Cleaned and French polished. Some minor repairs as usual, including repairs to some crest rails, back splats and toes. A few corner blocks have been added for strengthening. In one chair, four angle irons have been added underneath for strengthening in addition to two corner blocks. Fifteen of the 16 chairs are of the period. The sixteenth chair was made by Philip C. Lowe of Beverly, Massachusetts in 1999.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 33.25 in (84.46 cm)Width: 33.25 in (84.46 cm)Depth: 33.25 in (84.46 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 16
  • Style:
    Neoclassical (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1820
  • Condition:
    Repaired. Replacements made. Wear consistent with age and use. Cleaned and French polished. Some minor repairs as usual, including repairs to some crest rails, back splats and toes. A few corner blocks have been added for strengthening. In one chair, four angle irons have been added underneath for strengthening.
  • Seller Location:
    New York, NY
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: FAPG 19530D.0051stDibs: U110921903236
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