repro cromwellian chair?
08 September 2020
Description

materials: maple on frame, one turned oak strecher in front (all others look like maple), pine boards (I think) on seat and back) dimensions (sorry, I couldn't find a metric ruler): front to back: 16 1/2 inches, seat height: 18 1/2 inches, chair height: 36 inches, arm height, 26 1/2 inches, chair width: 23 inches

Provenance

unknown

Acquired from
Other
For sale
Maybe
Answered within about 4 hours
By Delia
Sep 08, 18:24 UTC
Fair Market Value
$500 - $800 USD
Insurance Value $0 USD
What does this mean?

Hi Polly,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

A Cromwellian style turned and joined oak open armchair frame
English, probably 19th Century
with rectangular plank seat and back, ball-and-reel turned arms, arm supports and legs, with baluster-and-reel turned H-stretcher.
Overall height 36 inches; seat height 18 1/2 inches, width across arms 23 inches; depth 16 1/2 inches
CONDITION: lacking upholstery; losses to seat
$500-800*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, and thank you for using Mearto.

Polly martin Sep 08, 20:45 UTC

Because I am interested in learning more, could you tell me what makes it a 1900's reproduction rather than the original and why it is English rather than American or Bostonian? I am just curious (and happy about the evaluation for a chair I picked up for free!).

Delia Sep 08, 23:12 UTC

Well done you!
I've examined a lot of post-Elizabethan chairs in my 25+ years appraising furniture and there are two elements in particular of your chair that don't point to a mid-17th Century origin: there isn't enough age (as denoted by shrinkage, which is difficult to fake) in either the joinery or the turnings, and there isn't enough wear at the bottom of the feet or on the arms, which would have received considerably MORE wear over 400+ years of handling.
American chairs circa 1750 have a slightly different aesthetic. As a later reproduction, made in the late 19th century, yes, this could have been made in the US, but the overall aesthetic is English, which was the basis for the regional attribution. It won't make a difference in value to say this is American or English, but to be more consistent with the English aesthetic, it's better to say English.
I hope I've explained that sufficiently well; if not please let me know.
-Delia

Polly martin Sep 09, 00:40 UTC

Thank you for taking the time to explain. It was highly unlikely that the chair was 3-400 yrs old and to be honest, I didn't think it was, but I was curious about what to look for in terms of the differences. We certainly get enough European antiques in the US, but when I look at pictures, I can't always see the differences. I am always looking to learn more! I'm glad I made the effort to find your site before doing anything with the chair. As I was removing the old upholstery, the fact that this was an older chair became more apparent and I wanted to find out more before doing anything more to it. Again, thanks! Polly

Delia Sep 09, 09:23 UTC

You’re very welcome

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