Label Type
Object LabelLabel
Side chair, 1795-1810
coastal New England, Boston, Salem, or possibly Portsmouth
mahogany, birch veneers, maple secondary wood
John S. Locke collection; gift of the estate of Almira Locke McArthur
Label Type
Cultural/Historical ContextLabel
Sets of chairs were usually composed of six side chairs and two arm chairs, although sets containing more side chairs, usually in multiples of six, were common. While it is impossible to determine how many were in the original set, the Saco Museum has three matching chairs, all of which retain their original under-upholstery and one of which still has its black hair cloth show cover and brass nails arranged in a swag pattern.
This chair has been stripped down to its original linen covering, over which there would have been the same black, satin-striped, hair cloth. Underneath, there are a series of layers of coarse canvas and stuffing to give the seat its shape or profile as well as provide comfort to the sitter. The bottom layer is a grid of webbing which supports the other materials. The striped linen webbing has been found on late 18th century side chairs attributed to Boston or Salem. The decorative tacking pattern is clearly visible on the front and sides of the seat rails through the indentations made by the edges of the round nail heads and the holes of the points.