Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2023.9.1 |
Object Name |
Chair |
Description |
Two-slat Enfield chair with 20-3/4" high seat . Back posts have an elongated pommel with single scribe mark at the widest point, shoulder at the base of the pommel. The back posts have the scribe marks of a typical 3-slat Enfield chair, with a 16" high seat. This results in unused scribe marks at the location of the missing lower slat and typical seat and upper stretcher locations. There are not tilters at the bottom of the back posts. The front posts have scribe marks locating the seat rails and stretchers as constructed. The back slats have graduated radii on their upper edges and are and are flat on bottom and rounded on the top edge towards the front. Seat rails tenons are nailed through the posts. The seat is cane, likely replacement. |
Credit line |
Purchased with funds donated by Carolyn A. Smith and Richard C. Dabrowski |
Date |
mid-19th Century |
Dimensions |
H-40.5 W-18.25 D-13.5 inches |
Dimension Details |
Height to top of finial, width across front posts, depth from front to back of seat. Seat height 20-3/4" at front seat rail. |
Material |
Birch, yellow/Cane/Paint/Nails |
Place made |
Enfield, NH Shaker Village |
Lexicon category |
2: Building Furnishings |
Lexicon sub-category |
Furniture |
Interpretive information |
This chair has an unusual construction with only two back slats and a high seat height. Interestingly, the back posts have the common scribe marks for a typical 3-slat chair with 16" high seat. This leaves several scribe marks unused, including the marks that would have located the lower back slat, the seat rails and upper stretchers. The two existing back slats of this chair are constructed at the typical place as are the lower stretchers. The seat rails and upper stretchers are considerably higher than normal to yeild the 20-3/4" seat height. This chair was clearly made to serve some special purpose, although we do not currently know what that purpose may have been. |
Linked documents |
Watch a video about Enfield ladderback chairs on the museum's Youtube channel. |