Name/Title
ChairsEntry/Object ID
1996.1.5 A-DDescription
Four Sheraton Hitchcock-style fancy chairs. The wood—possibly maple—has been painted black with gold gilding stencil work on back, seat, legs, and front stretcher. The canted back has a curved and cut out slat. The slat, top rail, and side rails are decorated with gilt designs. The slat frame is rounded in the front with a 5 centimeter wide apron all the way around. The seat is caned. The legs are turned and slanted out at the bottom. There are two round stretchers on each side: one on the back and one on the front which is cutlet shaped.Context
This chair was produced in the Sheraton Hitchcock-style in the early nineteenth century. Sheraton style furniture—created by the well-known English cabinetmaker Thomas Sheraton (1751–1806)—is known for its geometric shapes; simple, straight legs and feet; and contrasting veneers and inlays. Years after Sheraton’s death, his style informed the work of American chairmaker Lambert Hitchcock (1795–1852), who mass-produced similar furniture in the 1820s. Hitchcock manufactured chair parts in his factory in Connecticut and later sold them to merchants, who, in turn, marketed them as replacement pieces or assembled them and advertised the completed chairs as locally made furniture. In doing so, merchants were able avoid large import tariffs and grow their own businesses. While similar to Sheraton-style chairs, Hitchcock chairs are often adorned with black paint, stenciling, and rush or cane seats.Made/Created
Date made
circa 1820 - circa 1825Dimensions
Height
33 inWidth
17-7/8 inDepth
16 in
