Chair, Side

Description

Rocking chair with rockers removed and rocker dadoes plugged to convert to a side chair. Posts, stretchers, dado patches, and top two slats (three total) of maple. Bottom slat is a replacement of birch and a different size and shape. Rush seat. Top slat pinned in both post mortises. Chair was stripped and refinished.

Notes

This chair was made by Elder Freegift Wells at the Church Family, Watervliet, either around 1850 or 1860. He is documented as having made a large quantity of chairs for the community at those two times. The chair bears his stamp, “FW” set in a border, on its left front post and is stamped with the numeral “18” on the top of its right front post – traditionally a marking used to identify in which room the chair was to be used. The chair was originally fitted with rockers and at some time, either by the Shakers or others, the rockers were removed and the dados where they were attached were filled with maple patches and shaped to mimic the chair leg. The rush seat is a later replacement but likely the correct choice for the chair.