Four Mahogany Side Chairs

Furniture

Lincoln County Historical Association

2025/15A-D Suite of 4 Federal Massachusetts Chairs

Name/Title

Four Mahogany Side Chairs

Description

Group of four American federal mahogany side chairs in a gothic style. Each as a mahogany veneer inset at the center of the crest rail framed by a single strand geometric border. The seat frames are maple with the upholstery covering the entire seat top and sides. The chairs have reeded legs with four bands of vertical reeding on the fronts and exterior sides of the chairs. The underlying seat design involves box spring elements which would not be original to the chairs.

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

American, unknown

Role

Cabinetmaker

Date made

1790 - 1810

Time Period

late 18th-early 19th centuries

Place

State/Province

Massachusetts

Country

United States

Continent

North America

Notes

Made in Eastern Massachusetts, possibly Boston or in Salem/Marblehead. This suite is likely comprised of two pairs of chairs originally from different sets. 2025.15A-B are made of warmer, lighter brown mahogany and their inset mahogany veneered insets are more refined than those in 2025.15C-D. Moreover 2025.15C-D are made of considerably darker mahogany.

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

None

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Overall

Height

93 cm

Width

53.5 cm

Depth

41.2 cm

Dimension Notes

Depth and Width measure the seats. Height of the seat from the ground is

Material

Wood (mahogany), Wood (maple), Fabric

Condition

Overall Condition

Very Good

Notes

The left stile of one chair has been broken clear through.