Armchair

Maker unknown · East Windsor · ca. 1780

This chair is attributed to Eliphalet Chapin, who trained as a cabinetmaker in Enfield, Connecticut, and Philadelphia. He returned to Connecticut to open a shop in East Windsor in 1771. The influence of Chapin's Philadelphia training is evident in the design and construction of this chair. The splat design, use of shells, and the claw-and-ball feet mimic those of contemporary Philadelphia chairs. Chapin also followed the Philadelphia practice of using side-rail tenons that pierce the stump rear legs and two-piece, quarter-round corner blocks.

Medium

Cherry (primary); white pine (corner blocks and slip seat frame); modern upholstery

Dimensions

40.3 x 17.9 x 18.3 in. (102.4 x 45.4 x 46.4 cm)

Accession

1965.21

Credit line

Mabel Brady Garvan Collection