Is this chair by Horner?

I bought this chair locally and I am trying to establish a maker.  Any thoughts?

Gordie

The carved figures look a bit like Karpen to me, but the overall form of the chair might be a bit early compared to what I am accustomed to seeing from Karpen. 

My bet is Karpen, but I'm out of my element here.

- Jason

I would say not.  Horner did nothing that had classic Rococo stylings which is what this chair has in the legs, crest, etc.  The chair has a European look to it.

Thank you Jason and Rare Victorian.  I have seen several Karpen pieces and there are some similarities, although the chair would indicate more age than either Karpen or Horner would allow.  The European concept is interesting.  I was actually present when these chairs were first purchased by a collector friend of mine in an estate sale.  They were in a very low scale home lived in by two very old sisters who both had passed away.  There was a figuaral sofa, with a woman's face in the back, which was unlike either Karpen or Jellif...or for that matter, this particular chair.  There was also some nice turn of the century oak.  Not many clues there, except that it makes the Europe connection a bit less probable...at least I don't feel these gals had ever been to Europe themselves and there was no other European influence in their home.  My dealer friend who bought them at the sale indicated they had been in that home for at least thirty years.  These women were of very modest means...I would think that they had inherited the chairs and other pieces...Not long in the life of furniture, I know. 
I do feel that the chair is circa 1860 or so.  No maker's mark or label...no surprise there.  I live in Wisconsin, so the Karpen angle has a bit of possibility, since there seems to be a fair amount of that maker's furniture in this area (Chicago company).  This is a very well-made chair.  It is a challenge, to be sure.  I appreciate your thoughts.

gordie

an interesting link to Karpen research, 1880-1952... 
http://www.skarpenfurniture.com/node/18640

Flomaton,

An original Karpen catalog just went by on Ebay for around $95.  I think I'm having un-buyers remorse (didn't bid).  I would have preferred a catalog of theirs from the late 1800s vs. 1913 as this one was but they're rare in any date range.  Original Karpen ads are prevalent out there, however.

Welcome to the forum, BTW.

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/3350406

This set has the same chair as my initial post.  Obviously, this auctioneer feels it is Karpen.  The sofa and companion arm chair are certainly leading me to the same conclusion.  Although I still contend it is earlier than most of the Karpen pieces I have seen, since the carving is not as strongly nouveau as the more common examples.  Case closed.

Gordie, you might try writing Emily Rose, a descendant of the Karpens and owner of some of their original catalogs. She doesn't have all of them, so she has holes in the documentation (earlier ones), but she is probably the best expert available on Karpen.

http://www.portraitsofourpast.com/

I wouldn't feel comfortable personally nailing the Karpen name to it just because a few auction houses do.  Their basis can sometimes be paper thin.  When in doubt ask them how they came to the conclusion.

"I wouldn't feel comfortable personally nailing the Karpen name to it just because a few auction houses do."

BINGO! Lets face it, auction houses have become super markets for antique objects, even sotheby's and christie's. It's not entirely their fault, it's just the way things are now. Add in the fact that a 20 something kid with a degree in art history is the person who catalogs 95% of the objects in any given sale and there that is. Dont get me wrong, i am not knocking these kids who for the most part are bright and, given the time ( which they are not )  would & could do a much better job of properly researching objects. By the time they are 30, most have moved up the ladder as an assistant curator of XZY museum or whatever to be replaced by a 20 something kid with a degree in ..........................................