Hi Jon,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

This style of chair - with a shaped tabled crest and caned seat - was popular from the 1830s through the Victorian era (roughly 1860s) - when the form fell out of fashion in favor of more revivalist forms. Tiger maple was commonly used by American chairmakers because it was plentiful and the boldly striped grain was both sturdy and decorative.

Chairs such as this were not made to be sat in comfortably for hours and were not used in parlor rooms or drawing rooms. The presence of caned seats - was more practically suited to use on chairs used in dining rooms, where upholstered seats would be difficult to clean food spills.

The market for early American furniture has changed from what it once was, when chairs such as this could be reliably depended upon to sell at auction for perhaps $500-700 each; nowadays, large sets will usually average between $150 and $250 per chairs and individual chairs usually bringing only between $75 and $150.

Note that this value is less than what some private sellers or furniture dealers may be retailing similar examples for in a brick and mortar gallery or online shop.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

An antique American Empire style caned tiger maple side chair
circa 1830-60
With rounded tablet crest and medial back splat over a trapezoidal caned seat, raised on shaped saber legs joined by a box stretcher
Overall height: 33 inches; seat height: 16 inches
CONDITION: Good, with wear commensurate to age and use.
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$75-150*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia