possibly by the workshop of Thomas Tufft, carving possibly by John Pollard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, circa 1775, retaining early dark surfaces, foliate carved crest rail and ears, gothic pierced splats, small drops to front seat rails, foliate carved knees, claw and ball feet, slip seats with foliate motif brocade upholstery, chairs marked I, II, III, and III, 38-1/4 x 24-1/2 x 22 in., seat heights 18-3/4 in.
Provenance: Joe Kindig Antiques, York, Pennsylvania; Sotheby's New York, NY, "The Kindig Collection: Important American Furniture, Paintings, Silver & Decorative Arts", January 21, 2023, lot 464, $23,940; The Delany Collection of American Furniture and Decorative Arts
Literature: Joe Kindig Jr., Magazine Antiques, 26 (July 1934); Joseph Kindig III, The Philadelphia Chair, 1685-1785, fig. 52
Per Sotheby's 2023 catalog: This set of four side chairs displays a variation on the interlaced Gothic splat, in which paired C-scrolls ending in small volutes flank the central pointed arch. Multiple sets of extant Philadelphia chairs with this splat type indicate this form was popular in Colonial Philadelphia and made with straight seat rails, serpentine seat rails, over-upholstered seat rails, and the paired C-scrolls seen here.
The sculptural carving found on the crest and knees of these chairs can be attributed to John Pollard (1740-1787), the Philadelphia carver, since they relate directly to other examples of his work. Nearly identical crest rail motifs are displayed on a set of chairs with a history in the Deshler family of Philadelphia.That set of chairs stems from a larger suite of furniture including a pair of card tables and an easy chair likely commissioned by Esther Deshler Morton (c. 1744-1791) and John Morton (1739-1828) on the occasion of their marriage in 1769.2 The chairs and tables in the group are believed to have been made by Thomas Tufft (1740-1788) when he was in partnership with James Gillingham (1736-1781). The tables and chairs share similarities with furniture bearing Tufft's label such as the shaping of the front rails and the arc of the knees returns connecting the rails and cabriole legs.3 These four side chairs display these distinctive details and possibly stem from the Tufft shop.
Very similar knee carving is known on a set of chairs made for Charles Thomson with carving attributed to Pollard.4 Other side chairs from related sets also with carving attributed to Pollard include two offered in this sale with over-upholstered seats and two others with a history in the Wistar family sold at Christie’s, "Property from the Collection of Mrs. J. Insley Blair", January 21, 2006, sale 1618, lot 535.
One chair from the Deshler set is illustrated in Israel Sack Inc., American Antiques from Israel Sack Collection, Volume VI (1979), P3920, p. 48. Four side chairs from the set are in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and illustrated in Alexandra Alevizatos Kirtley, American Furniture, 1650-1840: Highlights from the Philadelphia Museum of Art (2020): nos. 79-82, p. 114.
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Joe Kindig Antiques, York, Pennsylvania; Sotheby's New York, NY, "The Kindig Collection: Important American Furniture, Paintings, Silver & Decorative Arts", January 21, 2023, lot 464, $23,940; The Delany Collection of American Furniture and Decorative Arts
Melissa H. Carr notes after 2023 inspection "Chairs are in good structural condition, no failures or previous repairs to seat joinery. There is variation in their finish histories and degree of wear/grime, meaning they present differently in terms of darkness, wear, transparency and gloss. Two of the chairs have old crude patches to stiles that need to be properly done. Recommend careful cleaning, finish treatment, color adjustment<br />
and blending to integrate the four as a set. Chair I Two cracks in pierced splat, recommend securing and filling gap. Chair II One crack in pierced splat, recommend securing and filling gap. Chair III One crack in pierced splat, recommend securing and filling gap"
Sotheby's condition notes in 2023 auction "Chair marked I with period slip seat, unmarked. The chair contains a rich, dark, and dry old surface. Contains two minor cracks to the splat and 2-inch rectangular patches half way down either stile. Chair marked IIII with period slip seat marked II. Corner blocks replaced and each side knee return with old small chip and loss near rear. Chair marked III with period slip seat marked II and containing vintage paper label inscribed "LT-GE-78-7-14b". The front proper left knee return appears to be replaced and there's an old small chip and loss to the rear tip of the proper left side knee return. Chair marked II with unmarked period slip seat containing remnants of period upholstery underneath. The interior side rail containing vintage paper label inscribed 'LT-GE-78-7-14a'. Rectangular patches half way down each stile. All knee returns replaced except front proper right."
Additionally we note that the cracks to the splats mentioned above have been addressed
Note - Brunk Auctions makes every effort to offer accurate and thorough information, but encourages prospective bidders to inspect items in person whenever possible. Condition statements are provided as a courtesy for general guidance and should not be considered complete or definitive. They do not represent a warranty or assumption of liability by Brunk Auctions. Certain condition issues may not be specifically noted in the report but may be visible in the accompanying photographs, which are considered part of the overall condition report. Please refer to our Terms of Sale for complete information and contact us for additional photos or information as needed.
