When is a reproduction not a reproduction?
Archive summary
Victorian Furniture thread on victorianforum.com · started September 1, 2009 by monkecmonkedo · 4 posts, 10 image attachments · discussion in 2009.
I recently came across a Victorian chair on eBay that is listed as a Contemporary Reproduction, 1900-1950. While I normally skip over such items, this one caught my eye. The shape of seat and arms does seem to be something from a later time, however; the carved details seem…
I recently came across a Victorian chair on eBay that is listed as a Contemporary Reproduction, 1900-1950. While I normally skip over such items, this one caught my eye. The shape of seat and arms does seem to be something from a later time, however; the carved details seem pretty well done and it appears to be of an "Aesthetic" style. In fact, the carvings are very similar to two 1880-1890 bedroom suites we own (which is what really caught my eye... imagine having a chair that matches furniture we've got and is actually somewhat comfortable!). The detailed pictures show carvings that are fairly crisp but lack some details, especially in the leaves. I don't think that is different than some mid-quality Victorian furniture. The chair even has a little burl wood on the upper back. My question is, is this a style that could have been produced before 1900 or does the seat bottom and arm shape lock it into the post-1900 time-frame? I'm inclined to think the latter, but I'd love to hear others opinions.
IMO it's period (1880s, 1890s), and not a repro. It appears to be missing its front casters, and yes, the silhouette is a little funky, but that's the modern upholsterer's doing... anyone who would put a welted edge on that seat isn't going to have a clue what the proper shape is.
I showed your images to Mr. ThePeacockRoom (he of the photographic memory and instant recall) and he said that there is an identical chair at Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site in Montana. Nifty Quicktime "virtual tour" of the house's parlor here. The room is interpreted to a date of c. 1890.
Comparative images in a bit...
==========
~Response Part Deux~
The chair in the NPS collection is part of a suite. The only image I could find online is a poor one, located @ http://image59.webshots.com/559/2/22/84/2500222840082197439PDzgZN_ph.jpg. The following images are enhanced detail scans of photos that appear in Wendell Garrett's book Victorian America.
Image01 is the chair I believe corresponds to the eBay chair. The other three images are chairs from the the same suite.
I showed your images to Mr. ThePeacockRoom (he of the photographic memory and instant recall) and he said that there is an identical chair at Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site in Montana. Nifty Quicktime "virtual tour" of the house's parlor here. The room is interpreted to a date of c. 1890.
==========
~Response Part Deux~
The chair in the NPS collection is part of a suite. The only image I could find online is a poor one, located @ http://image59.webshots.com/559/2/22/84/2500222840082197439PDzgZN_ph.jpg. The following images are enhanced detail scans of photos that appear in Wendell Garrett's book Victorian America.
Image01 is the chair I believe corresponds to the eBay chair. The other three images are chairs from the the same suite.
An additional thought on the eBay chair's upholstery: my gut is that the original foundation remains under at least the chair back, since there seems to be a slight concavity on a line that corresponds with the point of division on the bipartite upholstery scheme of the NPS chair.
I've taken the liberty of marking up two photos to give some clarity to my incoherence. :(
I've taken the liberty of marking up two photos to give some clarity to my incoherence. :(
Many thanks to you and to Mr. ThePeacockRoom. The chair is identical to those in the picture and I definitely see the faint "waist" similar to the original upholstery on the chair back.