Attributed to John Seymour III (active 1785-1793)

Side chair

1795–1805

Place madeUnited States, North America

PossiblyFalmouth, Maine

Birch; paint

Overall: 36 × 19 3/4 × 16 in. (91.4 × 50.2 × 40.6 cm)

Gift of Mrs. J. Insley Blair

1945.348

This chair is adapted from plate 36 of Thomas Sheraton's "Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Drawing-Book" of 1793 and is part of a group of related chairs attributed to John Seymour II (1738-1818) or John Seymour III (1765?-1793). Differences suggest that there were three separate sets, one of which was possibly made for Nathanial Silsbee of Salem, MA.

DescriptionPainted Federal side chair; square back elevated above seat with polychrome urn-shaped center splat flanked by two marbleized column-shaped stiles; trapezoidal seat with original or old caning; tapered square legs with side and medial stretchers; frame painted black with green and yellow trim with polychrome rosettes and floral sprays on the crest and stiles of the back and front seat rail.

ClassificationsFURNITURE