Chair, Side

Title:

Gaines Chair

Object Name:

Chair, Side

Creator:

John Gaines III

Date:

1735-1740

Description:

40 1/8 x 20 3/8 x 14 1/2�, Maple, eastern white pine. Standard rectangular mortise-and-tenon joints fasten all major elements except the front and rear stretchers are round tenoned to the front and rear legs, respectively. A single pin or peg reinforces each joint for the side stretchers and all seat rails. The rear support blocks are held to the rear legs with one nail each (the left retains its original nail), the front support blocks are carved out of the tops of the front legs. The crest has scroll and leaf carved decoration, the front and rear stretchers are turned the latter with ball-reel-ball pattern. The front legs are turned and terminate in spanish feet. Then stiles and stay rail are molded . The baluster-shaped splat and curved backs are typical of the Queen Anne style. The front seat rail is shaped with a half circle center drop and notched, rectangular knees. The side stretchers are arched on the bottom edge. The grained finsh is old, bit not original.

Provenance:

This chair and three matching ones descended from John Gaines III to his daughter, Mary, who married David Brewster. The chairs remained in the Brewster family untill 1998 when they were sold by Northeast Auctions. One pair sold to Strawbery Banke and Winterthur and one pair to a private collector.

Place of Origin:

Portsmouth, NH

Item Number:

1998.125

Accession Number:

1998.125

Type of Material:

Objects

Copyright Statement:

For information regarding copyright, permissions, and reproductions contact the Strawbery Banke Museum

Participating Organization:

Strawbery Banke Museum