Queen Anne side chair 1Circa 1775 Philadelpia
Hi, I have a set of 4 Queen Anne side chairs I inherited I was told that they were old and from a family member in Philadelphia. Maker? hoping you would know. Made of Cherry wood in great condition ( for the age. )
41H20W
Inherited
Yes
Hi John,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
A set of four Queen Anne cherry side chairs
Mid-Atlantic states, 18th Century
Chairs I, II, III and IIII, each with yoke crest, vasiform splat, straight stiles, trapezoidal splat with corresponding slip seats, raised on tall cabriole front legs terminating in pad feet.
each 41 inches high, 20 inches wide
CONDITION: with wear commensurate to age and use.
PROVENANCE: inherited
$800-1,200 for the set*
*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
Thank you for these photos.
There's one photo that shows where the side of the chair rail meets the chair stile (the vertical part the continues from the floor to where it joins the crest at the top). In the photo, it looks as the the rail and the stile are not absolutely flush to each other - is that the case? for all the chairs?
I can also see there are what looks like 3 hash marks on the inside of the back seat rail. Are there corresponding marks on the slipseat frame? If there are, that would indicate that the slipseat is ORIGINAL to the chair frame. If these chairs are all from the same set, there should be similar but different numbers in the same place of each chair and would have been put there by the maker when they made it.
Hi Delia,
So looking very closely at the joints they are all so tight some of the adjoining wood may stand somewhat proud as I believe from the construction of the piece and yes all have that same tolerance.
As for the hash marks I, II, III, IIII on each chair respectively two have frames two have plywood. Thanks, John
These chair show construction details characteristic of being made in the 18th Century. Because of the lack of through-tenons, I do not think these are made in Philadelphia. I can rule out that these were made in New England because most 18th Century chairs had stretchers whereas those made in the Mid Atlantic states (New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, rural Pennsylvania) usually did not.
The relatively simplicity and lack of ornament makes it difficult to attribute these to a specific cabinetmaking shop. While a maker's attribution can occasionally increase the value of chairs, the fact that you appear to have an original set of four is desirable.
Delia,
Thank You, I saw an episode of Antiques Road Show with Leigh and Lesley Keno authenticating a chair exactly like the one I have and they seemed to think that is was made in eastern Pennsylvania closer to Lancaster and that they knew who the maker was Leigh has since passed and I sent emails to Lesley no response. Be Well, John
I'm friends with both Leigh and Leslie and am happy to report that Leigh is certainly still alive, as is Leslie.
Delia ,
Thank you so very much for your professional evaluation of the set of 4 side chairs you took the time to evaluate for me.
Best, John
Hello Delia,
I sent you more pics of the Joinery and seat I hope that these pics will help you in your work of discovery.
Thank You, John