An extremely rare set of ten antique Federal mahogany dining chairs, Newport, Rhode Island, Circa 1805-10. This remarkable set of ten Hepplewhite antique dining chairs represents the finest large set of American Federal period dining chairs known to us. Taken as a whole, the quality of the carvings, conception of form, remarkable surface and superb condition are unsurpassed. Chairs of this quality appear on the market in singles or pairs occasionally, but it is extraordinarily rare to encounter a set as large as ten. The ascription to Newport, Rhode Island is based on the relationship of the distinctive arm to a pair of chairs of classic Newport, Rhode Island design that are illustrated in American Antiques from the Israel Sack Collection, Vol. VII, p. 1889. This so called “shield back” set consists of one armchair and nine side chairs. Each antique dining chair features an expertly carved shield-back above an over-upholstered seat with a bold serpentine front and straight sides. The chairs are distinguished as Rhode Island, rather than similar examples from New York by the following characteristics: The secondary woods include a mixture of birch, cherry and maple with no use of ash. The deeply tapered side rails of the seat are straight and not bowed or rounded like those on New York examples. The strong taper of the side rails, brings the rear legs very close together a feature common to Newport, Rhode Island Hepplewhite dining chairs. The H form stretchers are never found on New York examples. Nor is the “shoe” strip at the back of the seat that covers the upholstery tacks. These chairs were advertised by Israel Sack Inc. as a set of nine. Sack subsequently added the tenth chair from the same shop and sold the set to a collector, who after many years of enjoyment has sold the set to us.A highly important and fine set of ten Federal mahogany dining chairs, Newport, Rhode Island, Circa 1805-10. This remarkable set of ten Hepplewhite dining chairs represents the finest large set of American Federal period dining chairs known to us. Taken as a whole, the quality of the carvings, conception of form, remarkable surface and superb condition is unsurpassed. Chairs of this quality appear on the market in singles or pairs occasionally, but it is extraordinarily rare to encounter a set as large as ten. The ascription to Rhode Island is based on the relationship of the distinctive arm to a pair of chairs of classic Rhode Island design in American Antiques from the Israel Sack Collection, Vol. VII, p. 1889.  The set consists of one armchair and nine side chairs. Each chair features an expertly carved shield-back above an over-upholstered seat with a bold serpentine front and straight sides. The chairs are distinguished as Rhode Island, rather than similar examples form New York by the following characteristics: The secondary woods include a mixture of birch, cherry and maple with no use of ash. The deeply tapered side rails of the seat are straight and not bowed or rounded like those on New York examples. The strong taper of the side rails, brings the rear legs very close together a feature common to Rhode Island Hepplewhite dining chairs. The H form stretchers are never found on New York examples. Nor is the “shoe” strip at the back of the seat that covers the upholstery tacks. These dining chairs were advertised by Israel Sack Inc. as a set of nine. Sack subsequently added the tenth chair and sold the set to a collector.

Dimensions

Height: 39 Seat height: 17 ¼” Width 21 ¼”