This handsome chair is an important example of the rare roundabout chair that were produced in Boston during the mid-18th Century. The use of high quality, dense mahogany and the copious carving on the crest, arms and knee, distinguish this as a superior example of this scarce form. Sometimes referred to as a corner chair, they are generally considered to be a gentleman’s chair. The form is associated with the activities performed at a desk, such as reading and writing. The seat enables one to change position and move without turning the chair. The pleasing proportions and attractive carvings, create an inviting and versatile chair. The chair has a pronounced bolster-form crest above a scrolled arm. The crest steps back with scrolled volutes that add a sense of realism and dimension. A bold carved floral sprig decorates the center of the crest. Below is a conforming armrest with carved reverse scroll hand holds. The hands are wonderfully carved into the form of an eagle. Boldly carved feathers follow the arm, and the head and beak of the bird scroll back around to form a disk. The entire arm is gently canted downward. Three ring and vase turned balusters support the arms. The supports frame a pair of scrolled Gothic style vine-form splats. The distinctive layout of the splat is found on other fine documented Boston dining chairs. The splats rest on a rectangular frame with a molded edge and slip seat. The front cabriole leg has a foliate carved knee and a bold ball and claw foot. It should be noted that the particular carving on the knee of this chair, correlates to a set of Boston chairs with the same Gothic splat designs. The other three legs have tapered shafts and disk-form feet, which is common to other Boston and Salem roundabout chairs. The chair has a rich color and mellow finish. Eagle or phoenix decorated hand holds primarily appear on premium examples and are exceedingly rare, therefore they have highly sought by serious collectors. Only a small numbers of such chairs are known to survive.
Dimensions: Height at crest 31 ¼”; Height at arm 29 ¾”; Height at seat 16 ¾”;
Width of arm 30 ¾”; Width of frame 25 ½”; Depth 19”