Side Chair Maker, possibly by: John Seymour (American, 1738–1818)
Maker, probably by: Thomas Seymour (American, 1771–1848)

1804–10

American Decorative Arts

On view, 1st floor, American Decorative Arts before 1900

Chairs of this design can probably be dated to the first years of the nineteenth century. Exquisitely crafted examples of this design have often been attributed to the Boston cabinetmakers John and Thomas Seymour. The application of birch veneer to the front seat rail, stiles, and rails in the back adds to the brilliance of these chairs, which are among the most graceful and elegant examples of seating furniture produced in America during the Federal period.

Medium

Mahogany, beech, and birch

Dimensions

34 1/2 × 17 3/4 × 16 5/8 in. (87.6 × 45.1 × 42.2 cm)
seat: 16 3/4 × 18 7/8 in. (42.5 × 47.9 cm)

Credit Line

Mabel Brady Garvan Collection

Accession Number

1963.18.1

Geography

Made in Boston, Massachusetts

Culture

American

Period

19th century

Classification

Furniture

Disclaimer

Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery’s complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of records is ongoing.

Provenance
According to tradition purchased about 1870 from a house on Follen Street in Cambridge, Mass., by the mother of Miss Elizabeth Tower of Cambridge; bequeathed by Miss Tower to A. F. Hayden (Boston?); Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; The Mabel Brady Garvan Collection.
Bibliography
  • Handbook of the Collections, exh. cat. (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Art Gallery, 1992), 94, ill
  • Patricia E. Kane, 300 Years of American Seating Furniture Chairs and Beds from the Mabel Brady Garvan and Other Collections at Yale University (Boston: New York Graphic Society, 1976), 174-175, no. 154, ill
Object copyright
No Copyright - United States
Additional information

Object/Work type

side chairs

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