Description:
One of two rod-back Windsor side chairs in maple and yellow-poplar, painted black over dark red, with yellow stripings over the original gold. This chair does not have the inscription found on 53.042, but is from the same set, which was probably part of the wedding suite of Seth Sheldon (1787-1860) and Caroline Stebbins (1789-1865), married in 1810, who were the parents of George Sheldon (1818-1916), Deerfield's town historian, whose granddaughter, Hazel Sheldon Martin, donated the chair. Made of stockpiled parts, Windsor chairs incorporate turned and shaved components morticed into a carved plank seat to make a lightweight and sturdy chair. The paint scheme obscured the variety of woods and often imitated costly materials, like red leather for the seat. The rod-shaped crest rail, which became popular around 1800-1810, is over seven tapered spindles, saddle seat with a slightly peaked front, four splayed legs with bamboo turnings, and a medial and two side stretchers.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+53.042A |
