Chair

Description

Work chair with unusually high seat. Maple turnings and back slat, ash seat rails, and taped seat, which is tan with brown edge stripes, woven with pairs of tape front to back over and under a single side to side tape. Three stretchers in front, two on sides and back. Chair originally painted or washed with red, traces of which are visible through modern finish.

Notes

The chair was intended for an activity at a high counter, such as ironing. Indeed, the chair was acquired from Eldress Emma B. King of the Canterbury Shakers, who indicated that it came from the laundry room and was probably used for ironing. Weaving also required chairs with high seats in order that the weaver could operate the treadles on the loom comfortably. The legs are connected by two stretchers on the sides and back, and an additional middle stretcher spans the front legs. It is tempting to conclude that the additional front stretcher served as a foot rest, yet there is scant evidence of wear on the stretcher. This chair features the bulbous turnings and thickness typical of other chairs made at Canterbury.