BIRDCAGE WINDSOR SIDE CHAIR
The Windsor Chair was introduced into the Colonies around 1740. It received its name from Windsor Castle which provided the timber used to produce the chair. This chair, a favorite of King George, reached its popularity in America and remains one of the most widely copied styles of American seating. The Windsor chair has a solid plank seat and an open seat frame. The Windsor plank fastens the turned and shaved members of the back and base. It is certain that the Pilgrims brought Windsor chairs to New England in 1620.
George Washington fancied Windsor chairs - with a recorded 27 chairs at Mt. Vernon. Thomas Jefferson is said to have written a draft of the Declaration of Independence while seated in a Windsor. At the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Independence Hall 1776, the assembly sat in Windsors. Winterthur has 250 Windsors in their collection.
American chair makers, unhampered by the restrictive Guild laws of England, exchanged designs and techniques resulting in a variety of designs and innovations. American Windors differ from English Windsors with slimmer bent parts, a thicker seat plank with front legs socketed farther from the edge and more intricate turnings.
Basically a Windsor chair is characterized by having a thick, one piece wooden seat into which the legs are mortised from below and the spindles forming the back-rest are slotted in from above. Unlike other chairs, the back legs have no connection with the chair back. Windsor chairs feature tapered joinery, weight on the seat of the chair causes the joints to strengthen not loosen as is the case in traditional tendon joinery. The strength and stability of the Windsor makes them a treasured American classic.
Offering a "Bird Cage" Windsor chair which is a Rod-Back Windsor chair developed from the traditional bow-back style Windsor to include a square back design that incorporates Asian influenced bamboo style turnings in legs, stretchers and rods. This chair has 5 spindles and top rail, all with bamboo turnings, one piece plank seat, bamboo turned legs and stretchers. It is circa 1900's - in excellent condition.
Measurements: 31.5"T 15" D 18"W
# DMD - 7008
$0.00
