Rhode Island Furniture Archive - Yale University Art Gallery

Photo: Courtesy Bonham's, New York Click the image to enlarge	Side chairs, set of six
	Object number RIF5635
	Maker Maker, formerly attributed to Thomas Davenport, 1681–1745 Maker Unknown
	Dimensions Seat: 17 � 20 3/4 � 16 3/4 in. (43.18 � 52.71 � 42.55 cm) Height, crest: 38 in. (96.52 cm)
	Date 1755–75
	Current location Unknown
	Geography Made in Newport, Rhode Island (view a map of Rhode Island)
	Medium Walnut
	Marks None
	Inscriptions "II," “III,” "V," "VI," "VII," "VIII," inscribed on respective front seat rails; “IIII,” inscribed, on underside of slip seat of chair "V" (all slip seat rails but front seem new); “4”?, in graphite, on underside of slip seat of chair "VII" [seat probably replaced]
	Provenance By descent in the Gracie Family, New York, before 1875; sold to Ellen Southmayd (n�e Dayton, 1839–1901) and John Southmayd (1825–1907); by descent to their children (each of whom received one chair), Ella Southmayd (born 1865), Elizabeth Dayton Southmayd (born 1866), Caroline Southmayd (born 1868), Clara Southmayd (born 1871), and Henry Southmayd (born 1876), with the final chair given to two "maiden Gracie sisters," 1907; by descent in their families to Theodora "Edola" Muldaur Baker (1897–1988), New Jersey, 1985; by descent in her family to a private collection, Northern California; consigned to Bonham's, New York, January 24, 2013, lot 1121
	Associated names John Southmayd Ellen Dayton Southmayd Ella Southmayd Elizabeth Dayton Southmayd Caroline Southmayd Clara Southmayd Henry Southmayd Gracie Sisters Theodora "Edola" Mulbaur Baker Bonhams Gracie Family
	Construction Each chair has a yoke-shaped crest rail with pointed "ears," attached by mortise and tenon joints, exhibiting one wood pin each, to the stiles below. The open work splat below is set into grooves in the bottom of the crest rail and in the top of the molded and incurvate shoe below. The backs of the open work portion of the splat are chamfered, as are the backs of the stiles. The shoe is joined to the rail below by sprigs, and slightly overhangs the slip seat. The stile and leg assemblies are connected to the rear and side rails by mortise and tenon joints, exhibiting one wood pin each. Between the seat rails and stretchers the rear legs are chamfered. Below the stretchers, they rake backward and their inner faces are chamfered. The slip seat sits upon rabbets in the side and front rails, which are joined to the front legs with mortise and tenon joints, each exhibiting one wood pin. The side stretchers are joined to both front and rear legs by wood-pinned mortise and tenon joints, the front joints exhibiting particularly large tenons. The cabriole legs have carved knee brackets (some replaced) and end in shod pad feed. Examined by P.E. Kane and J.N. Johnson, January 21, 2013; notes compiled by T.B. Lloyd
	See also RIF655 RIF736 RIF832 RIF1864 RIF1865 RIF2013 RIF2884 RIF3086 RIF3087 RIF3358 RIF3556 RIF3730 RIF3822 RIF3989 RIF4884 RIF4885 RIF4887 RIF4954 RIF6653 RIF6654
	Bibliography Bonhams, New York, Fine American and European Furniture, Silver, and Decorative Arts, sale cat. (January 24, 2013), 62–63, lot 1121, ill.