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Banister-back armchair

Object number

RIF6429

Maker

Maker Unknown

Dimensions

39 3/8 × 25 1/4 × 27 1/2 in. (100.01 × 64.14 × 69.85 cm)

Date

1720–60

Current location

Private Collection

Geography

Probably made in Bristol, Rhode Island
(view a map of Rhode Island)

Medium

Maple and ash (stretchers)

Marks

None

Inscriptions

None

Provenance

Possibly Nelson Miller (1754–1840), Warren and Bristol, Rhode Island; by descent to his son James Miller (1795–1846), Bristol, Rhode Island; by descent to his son Augustus Nelson Miller (1816–1901), Bristol, Rhode Island; by descent to his daughter Mrs. Fielding Lewis Williams (née Abby Louisa Miller, 1842–1927), Bristol, Rhode Island; by descent to her daughter Mrs. William Frederick Williams (née Mildred Lewis Williams, 1867–1928), Bristol, Rhode Island; by descent to her husband Dr. William Frederick Williams (1859–1931), Bristol, Rhode Island; by descent to his son William Frederick Williams, Jr. (1896–1959), Bristol and Providence, Rhode Island; by descent in his family

Associated names

Nelson Miller
James Miller
Augustus Nelson Miller
Abby Louisa Miller Williams
Mildred Lewis Williams Williams
Dr. William Frederick Williams
William Frederick Williams, Jr.

Construction

The ?sausage?- and ring-turned crest rail is doweled into the turned leg/stiles, as is the merely ?sausage?-turned stay rail. Each rail is prominently scribe-lined, as are the leg/stiles. Tenoned into both rails are four turned split balusters. The molded, incurvate arms are doweled into the leg/stiles, and the turned front legs are doweled into the underside of the arms. The simply turned side and rear stretchers and the ball- and reed-turned front stretchers are doweled into their respective legs. The legs are fitted with later rockers. Examined by P.E. Kane and E. Litke, July 20, 2017; notes compiled by T.B. Lloyd.

See also