

Side chair, 1740–60
Philadelphia
Walnut, yellow pine
Philadelphia
Walnut, yellow pine
42 x 17 1/4 x 20 1/8 in. (106.7 x 43.8 x 51.1 cm)
Bequest of Cecile L. Mayer, subject to a life estate, 1962 (62.171.21)
Philadelphia chairmakers responded to competition from Boston imports by exaggerating the curves of their Queen Anne–style seating furniture. For instance, note the rounded, S-curved stiles and "balloon," or horseshoe-shaped, seat frame. The carved shells, scrolled volutes, and trifid (three-toed) feet are further hallmarks of the Philadelphia school.







