04/05/2019
In the early eighteenth century, Boston was the leading colonial city, and thus the first to implement the new styles from England in their furniture and interiors.
By the 1750’s, Philadelphia had surpassed Boston as the largest colonial city. Immigrant artisans trained in the latest European fashions created lavish furnishings for the Georgian-style homes of Philadelphia’s mercantile elite.
This Chippendale Carved Walnut Side Chair c. 1760-80, with it’s scrolled crest rail and terminals ending in carved volutes centering a carved shell, above a shaped back splat and trapezoidal slip seat over a valanced skirt joining the frontal shell carved cabriole legs is a wonderful example of that growing influence.
This exquisite surviving example of the Philadelphia Chippendale style has been in the same family for over 250 years, and will remain there into the future after undergoing a full conservation treatment.
