My aunt was an antique dealer and she gave me this chair. It is totally pegged. I’m interested to know the type of chair that it is as well as its approximate value. – Thank you, S.S.
You have an American rod back Windsor chair. Though first developed in England in the 17th century, most of the Windsors I see are American. They were first made in Philadelphia in the 1730s and had high backs like the English ones.
American cabinet makers soon developed their own distinctive styles. Connecticutt, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and other areas all had distinctive regional variations of the Windsor chair.
British-made Windsors are usually combinations of several woods, usually ash, elm, yew and beech. American cabinet makers used pine or birch for the seats, hickory for the spindles and beech, hickory or white oak for the bent frame. Nearly all American Windsors were originally painted black, green, red or dark yellow.
As time passed, more coats of paint were added to cover up chips and wear. Eventually, owners just started stripping the chairs down to the wood, especially in the 20th century. Chairs with original paint bring a premium price.
The rod back Windsor is one of the simpler styles to construct. Some chairs have shaped saddle seats, crisp turnings on the legs, a loop, fan or comb back and other features. There are continuous arm Windsors which have the two arms and the curved top rail made from one piece of wood. Many armless side chairs are still in use and there are also Windsor settees.
The shallow rings on your chair’s legs represent bamboo, reflecting the craze for the oriental motifs popular in the first quarter of the 19th century. Your chair probably dates from that period. Windsor chairs were made throughout the 19th century. Hitchcock, Ethan Allen and custom cabinet makers still make Windsor chairs.
Many chair makers branded their chairs, and there is a lot of biographical information now available. Two books are “Windsor Chair Making in America: From Craft Shop to Consumer” by Nancy Evans and “The Book of American Windsor Furniture” by John Kassay. There are two old books by Ormsbee and by Nutting which are less expensive and will provide basic information. Every book on American furniture will show at least a few of these chairs.
A single chair of simple design is not a strong seller in today’s market. This chair would bring the highest price in New England or the Midwest. It would probably be $200 to $300 in a shop.
The stand is 7 inches high and 4½ inches wide. When the bell is struck it has a high resonating ring. I hope you can give me some information. – B.I.
Your bell and stand look Chinese to me. Could the bell be bronze? I think this bell was used in the Chinese home to call the servants.
You did not mention where the bell was placed in your friend’s home but that would be a clue as to how they used it. I showed the photograph to some dealers, and we arrived at a consensus of what your piece is worth.
The stand and bell are attractive and graceful. It’s probably late 19th or early 20th century. We think it should be insured for $400 to $500.
Julie McClure has 30 years of experience in the appraisal business and is a member of the Appraisers Association of America. Her company, Appraisals and Sales by Julie McClure, Inc., is based in Bradenton (wwwappraisals4u.biz). Send queries and photographs via regular mail to About Antiques, The Herald, 102 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, FL 34205-8810. Please include the measurements of a piece and a phone number. Also, computer printouts of images do not reproduce, so please e-mail images. Photographs will only be returned in a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
