Tell me about my three-legged chair

[mart]

Thanks Jacon4 !!  I learn something every time you post a reply !!

[jacon4]

No problem, luvs to talk about old furniture. For those that might be interested, Dale Couch at MESDA offers a summary at the link below of his findings on that american southern turned arm chair, according to Dale, it's not french inspired but dutch. If his 1640 date is anywhere close to correct, that puts this chair very close to or maybe even the oldest piece of american furniture known to exist, certainly it's the oldest piece of southern furniture known. Jamestown Va, the first permanent english settlement was established in 1607. Naturally, his findings are subject to revision as is all research done on old furniture.
http://www.mesdajournal.org/2015/provenance-profile-rediscovery-earliest-southern-chair/

[mart]

An interesting article Jacon4 !!

[jacon4]

Yeah, is. I like the fact that he backs up his arguments with foot notes that are longer than the article itself. Shows that although he may have had a hunch at first, he did the work to back it up.

[mart]

The geneology studies sure seem to back up his theory !!

[jacon4]

tell you what, foot notes are vital, it was foot notes by Frances Safford that led me to discover a fake chamber table several months back. They offer clues that can lead one to new discoveries quickly as opposed to plowing the same ground twice.

[mart]

Yes, It would !!  Speaking of plowing,,need to hit the garden soon !! So much rain,,weeds are taking over !!

[KC]

Thanks for the great information jacon4!

[jacon4]

No problem, that turned chair is causing quite a stir among certain circles and, you can bet old dad here is stirring the pot well! I have no dog in this fight as i was born & raised in Washington D.C. but there is a new england faction and a southern faction that look at these sorts of things with a different perspective than i do. LET THE DRAMA BEGIN! i say.

[mart]

Keep us updated !!

[KC]

Mart, we have had storms so bad that many large trees (several over 100+ years old) were topped over - roots and all!  We had a 6" diameter limb break and fall on our upper porch with minimum damage!  Been without electricity 3 times within the last 7 days with the longest outage for 36 hours.

[mart]

Darn KC !!  Hope you have a generator !!  Hate that it got the trees !! Although there is one pine here that I wish it would knock down !! Luckily the strong storms have either died out or split and gone north and south of us !!  All we have been blessed with is rain !!  Just now can get in the garden without soaking my feet in mud !! Been pulling/ chopping weeds most of the day !!

[Rauville]

Hard to discuss early chairs without being reminded of the story of the "17th Century Brewster Chair" that the Henry Ford Museum bought a few years back. Turned out it was made the previous year, rather than 300+ years ago like they thought.
http://www.thehenryford.org/museum/furnished/brewsterchair.asp

[jacon4]

Yes, theres alot of that going around, or was. It's getting tougher to fake old furniture these days though as they basically do a forensic exam as well as take the piece apart, piece by piece on expensive old objects.