The middle section, or splat, of this chair back, with its Gothic pointed arches, may be related to the style invented by the English cabinetmaker Thomas Chippendale.  English chairs of this pattern are known, so the design probably originated there and was transmitted to this side of the Atlantic, perhaps by means of an imported example.  This chair comes from a set made for Thomas and Elizabeth Edwards of Philadelphia, a furniture making center famous for its carved ornament.  This chair features several finely and naturalistically carved details.

<i>The Year in Review for 1985</i>. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (February 12-April 20, 1986).

The Year in Review for 1985

Thomas and Elizabeth Edwards, Philadelphia; Mr. and Mrs. Allan B. A. Bradley; (Israel Sack Inc., New York); Mr. and Mrs. Charles K. Davis, Fairfield, Connecticut; (John Walton, Jewett City, Connecticut, 1971); Mr. and Mrs. Abram Harpending, Rochester, New York (Sotheby's, New York, 1 February 1985, lot. 617); (Israel Sack, Inc., New York).

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Side Chair

America, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 18th century

Description