victorian chair listed on EBAY

Hi everyone,
http://cgi.ebay.com/GOOD-Antique-VICTORIAN-Hall-Chair-BELTER-f6748_W0QQitemZ250413769387QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAntiques_Furniture?hash=item3a4dd2e2ab&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1205%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

I been looking at this chair listed on Ebay can anyone tell me what they know about the possible
maker etc.

Thanks,
Michael

The Walnut Rococo slipper/ hall chair looks like it could have be made by J H Belter - but the back doesn't look laminated (one of his trademarks). This chair back has been split all the way up the middle and re glued w/ some filler - quite a visible repair (a laminated back would not have split like that). It also looks like the back, but not the legs have been refinished (I'm sure to blend & color the repair work done to it). To me the price seems high considering the obvious significant damage/ repair.     woodwright

The seller raises the Belter possibility leaving it open that it may not be.  I don't think it's Belter. 

It doesn't look like it ever had 4 casters, which Belter furniture had.  Belter's casters were brass, not other materials.  the seat back is attached to the top of the chair bottom - Belter chair backs usually  went all the way down in one piece.  Skirt carvings are never as crude as it is on this chair - they are generally more realistic.  Belter chairs' rear legs generally are not entirely square as it appears with this one and have a partial circular cross-section...

Looks more like Maryland work than New York but can't guarantee.  I've also seen it in a book somewhere, but haven't come across it again with a quick look.

I am in complete agreement with John's observations on this chair; definitely not from the shop of J.H. Belter.  Also the asking price is far to high in my opinion.  Based on the (repaired) damage present and the absence of a genuine attribution, I don't feel it is worth more than $150 to $200.

Michael