Armchair

• Medium: Walnut, yellow pine, modern upholstery
• Geographical Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
• Dates: ca. 1740-1760
• Dimensions: 42 1/2 x 31 x 21 in. (107.95 x 78.74 x 53.34 cm)
• Markings: (1) Incised on top of front seat rail: "I" (2) Paper label attached to outside of rear seat rail: "All sorts of chairs and joiners work made and sold by William Savery. At the sign of the chair a little below the market in Second Street, Philadelphia." [Label possibly from retailer] (3) Brass plaque attached to inside of rear seat rail: "Fiddle Back Walnut Armchair with Original Label of William Savery, Philadelphia Circa 1750. No. 677 Reifsnyder Collection. American Art Galleries Sale April 27, 1929." [Label added by collector]
• Collection: Decorative Arts
• Museum Location: BMA, 5Q12-LUCE, Unit 38, Shelf C
• Accession Number: 1997.150.1a-b
• Image: "Overall", 1997.150.1_transp687.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 0,

Catalogue Description:
Queen Anne style armchair (a) with slip seat (b). Arched, round-shouldered crest rail with carved central scallop shell flanked by volutes, joining a solid fiddle splat that connects to the seat rail with a molded shoe. Serpentine curved stiles, outlined with beading, ending in reverse-curve back posts. Outward-curving, knuckled arms with scrolled hand rests and cyma-curved arm supports. Horseshoe seat formed from broad, curved front seat rail with applied seat lip, joining two side rails; through tenons of side rails visible on back of stiles. Cabriole legs, with shells carved on the knees, and scroll brackets; legs posted into front rail and terminate in trifid feet. CONDITION - Good. Small dents and scratches, especially on feet and inner proper right arm.