upholstered chair

[mart]

These sweeping arms are more typical of the English or French styles than the U.S. !!

[Hollie]

I have not pulled out any nails, and am not going to.  This chair remains in it's original state, and not being a professional I have no intention of compromising the piece.  I think the chair would be classified as a Lolling Chair, and that it is one of a kind, perhaps it could be considered folk art.  I am still interested in finding the name of the wood carver to whom this work would be attributed.

The legs are french provincial, which probably implies that it's artisian was of French descent.  Since most of these chairs were made in New England, I am focusing my search on wood carvers/cabinet makers in the New England region. 

The use of coils in the seat means it is from 1858 or later, the "sound" of the seat would imply horse hair, as opposed to cotton batting. 

If anyone recognizes the harvest type motif in the carving on the arms, I am looking for direction.   thanks!

[mart]

If you have been around antiques then you should know that pulling a nail from the dust cover hurts nothing !! If you haven`t seen the "nails" then you don`t know exactly what they are any more than we do !! And to look at any piece of furniture without seeing its construction tells little about it except in very few types/styles !! There were so many companies making French Provencial legs in the early 20th century that tracking down one with no more information than you have given us,, plus poor pics,, is impossible !! Many pieces were shipped here mid century and after from the UK that still leaves me to think your chair may be one of those !!
We ask for additional info and pics in order to assist in your research !! We aren`t stumped very often and usually do manage to track them down !!  Without your willingness to help in what we need,, we cannot help you !! 
I wish you luck in your search !!

[Hollie]

Thank-you for your thoughts...the chair gives every indication that is is hand-carved, and was not manufactured in quantity.  I am seeking clues as to who worked in motifs similar to what is seen in the arms.

I am attaching some additional photos, hopefully, these are better.

[bigwull]

I,m glad its not mine.....what an ugly boogering thing....

[mart]

Perhaps Jacon4 will stop by and take a look !! He is well acquainted with the furniture history of the NE states !! If it is a one-of-a-kind piece,,which I doubt ,,its worth is no more than toothpick material !!  I personally would have already removed that dust cover to see if there is a name on the bottom frame if I wanted to tie it to any prominate furniture maker !! If only a style number then it would be a mfg piece !!

[bigwull]

Your fascination with bottoms Mart....for once is bang on....If this chair is all what she thinks it is...and the arms have been carved,...then i,m sure the carver would have left his mark somewhere..commerci al .Wood carvers the world over...thrived on recognition...its what got them their next job....what would be the point of making something..if no one....knew who did it.....

[mart]

Exactly !!  And without other pieces made with a similar method, carving, style or something there would be no way to say a carver did it at all without a name of some sort !!

[Hollie]

I am going to leave the nail pulling to the professionals...I do not know what I have, but chisel marks in the carving, and the lack of other chairs, or furniture that resemble it, lead me to think that it may be one-of-a-kind folk art.  Thanks for your input.

[icedgold10]

There are a lot of reproduction chairs up here in the New England area.  I have seen similar type ones.  There is an antique shop up here that I would send a picture to.  He may be able to help you.   http://www.rjorgensen.com/

[bigwull]

For someone that,s been "around antiques"all their life...i,d have thought you would know...what to look for,...antique furniture...does,nt always have a big sign...proclaiming. ..I am an Antique...and pulling nails out is,nt exactly Rocket Science...but if you want to spend your $$ paying someone else to take them out....then that,s what you,ll have to do....but just because you can,t find another chair,or carved arms like this does,nt mean its valuable...I doubt very much if there is,nt a member on here..who at some stage...has found ...an antique...and exclaimed WOW!!....look at this....only to later find ...a Made in China...or some other sticker tucked away in a corner....telling them different....

[Rauville]

I think Sophocles said it best: "What people believe prevails over the truth."

[mart]

Right Rauville !!  If it is indeed a one-of-a-kind that puts it in the $50. used furniture category without a name to tie it to someone !!  What if Duncan Phyfe only made one piece ??  No one would even know who he was now !!  No matter how good he was,, without that history of similar furniture of the same quality,, he would be simply another obscure, lost in history, furniture maker !!

[bigwull]

Seeing it with Blinkered Vision springs to mind....

[jacon4]

Well, the pics are very dark and I can't see much in the way of carving at all. Perhaps you could turn on some lights when taking photo's so we could see the chair. It is not an american period federal  lolling chair if thats what you are asking. Here are a couple from gary sullivan

http://www.garysullivanantiques.com/Inventory/tabid/66/ProdID/125/antique_lolling_chairs.aspx

Here is some general info on Lolling chairs, basically a federal period arm chair with a high back

http://www.artfact.com/subcollection/antique-lolling-chairs-d2xp58ma5u

Your chair appears to be a ladies parlor chair, i have no clue what period because pic's are to dark to see the chair.