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Photo: Courtesy Rhode Island Furniture Archive
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Banister-back side chair

Object number

RIF6432

Maker

Maker Unknown

Dimensions

40 1/2 × 19 3/4 × 15 in. (102.87 × 50.17 × 38.1 cm)

Date

1720–1800

Current location

Private collection

Geography

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

Medium

Probably maple and ash (stretchers)

Marks

None

Inscriptions

None

Style

Vernacular

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 chamfered ends of the double-arched, flat-fronted crest rail are tenoned and wood-pinned to the turned leg/stiles. The wood pins are visible on the backs of the leg/stiles only. The front and back edges of the crest rail top are eased. The ends of the double-serpentine skirted stay rail below are chamfered and tenoned (the proper right also nailed) to the stiles. Three banisters turned in a pattern similar to the stiles are doweled into the bottom of the crest rail and the top of the stay rail. The side and rear seat rails are doweled into the leg/stiles. The vase-turned front legs are doweled into the exposed blocks at the ends of the front seat rail. The ball- and reel-turned front stretcher is doweled and nailed as are the simply turned side and rear stretcher, into their respective legs. The legs are reduced in height. Examined by P.E. Kane and E. Litke, July 20, 2017; notes compiled by T.B. Lloyd.

See also