Shaker Ladderback or Slatback Chair ?

[bchohn]

Can someone tell me if I have a chair that was made by Shakers and if not by who? It appears to have the right hallmarks of the style and methods of construction. I would also be interested in knowing the value and date even if it is not Shaker. Thanks!

 

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[Lucas]

You have a lovely slat back chair, circa 1800–1850. Could be later if you are in Appalachia. Value, unfortunately, is low. Chairs in general don't bring much, and ladder backs are not a hot item (don't know why ).

Unless you know exactly where it was made, it is worth from $15-$200. Known regional styles can be more collectable.

$15 is a auction price, and $200 a fancy antique store.

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Excellent ID!

 

[AU24K]

The close grain of the wood looks like oak, possibly Golden Oak.

Best,
Scott

 

[Breezie]

Sorry, Lucas, I will have to disagree with you. The chair is indeed a Shaker chair, and has all the characteristics. The 'rush' bottom could be a recent addition; recent meaning within the last 25-35 years. I can't tell from the photos, and if you post some better pics of the seat, especially the bottom, I may be able to make a better judgment call. Most of these types of Shaker chairs had Cane bottoms. You might be able to slide the rush over (near the seat stretchers to see if you can see worn areas from Cane. Although I can't see/touch the chair in person, it appears to be made from Hardrock Maple. It has perfect 'score' marks and 'peg' construction. The worn back legs are from many, many years of children using it as a 'walker,' and pushing it across a hardwood floor. I've been buying/selling antiques for 39 years, and this is a fine example of a Shaker chair (minus the Rush seat 'if' it is a recent addition.) In a fine antique shop or one of the more well-to-do auction houses, it would fetch close to 4 figures, but the seat bottom can/may reduce the price. Nice find, Breezie

 

[AU24K]

Hey, Breezie!
Hope you are feeling well tonight.

Is there any tacks or small nails on the underside of the seat holding any of the caning?
Also, the finials on the two back pieces look pretty cool....

Just a suggestion...

Best,
Scott

 

[Lucas]

Sorry, Lucas, I will have to disagree with you. The chair is indeed a Shaker chair, and has all the characteristics. The 'rush' bottom could be a recent addition; recent meaning within the last 25-35 years. I can't tell from the photos, and if you post some better pics of the seat, especially the bottom, I may be able to make a better judgment call. Most of these types of Shaker chairs had Cane bottoms. You might be able to slide the rush over (near the seat stretchers to see if you can see worn areas from Cane. Although I can't see/touch the chair in person, it appears to be made from Hardrock Maple. It has perfect 'score' marks and 'peg' construction. The worn back legs are from many, many years of children using it as a 'walker,' and pushing it across a hardwood floor. I've been buying/selling antiques for 39 years, and this is a fine example of a Shaker chair (minus the Rush seat 'if' it is a recent addition.) In a fine antique shop or one of the more well-to-do auction houses, it would fetch close to 4 figures, but the seat bottom can/may reduce the price. Nice find, Breezie

Um, excuse me, but score and peg construction belongs to the class turned chairs, of which ladder back chairs are a subset, of which Shaker chairs are a small subset. The finial profile is not a Shaker one (cf. Handberg's Shop Drawings pp. 60-61).

Unless you can cite the community, and show they used this finial profile, and that all other dimensions are consistent with having been made at that community, it is not Shaker. If it is not Shaker, it is one of tens of thousands of early ladder back chairs that fetch between $15 and $200, not four figures. In fact, many do try and sell these as Shaker, but they tend to get no sales, and loose credibility. Since Shaker furniture is so valuable, it has been minutely studied, and serious buyers are not easily fooled.

If you are looking for this finial profile, you will find it in many books, including the Kovels' American Country Furniture, 1780–1875, but you will not find it under Shaker.

BTW, in my opinion, this chair has been stripped and varnished or oiled.

 

[Breezie]

If he would like to sell this chair for $15.00, I'll be glad to buy it. Breezie

 

[Lucas]

If he would like to sell this chair for $15.00, I'll be glad to buy it. Breezie

Your willingness to buy is not proof of your identification, or disproof of mine. That, I hope, is the purpose of this forum... positive identification.

None of the respected works I have consulted show Shaker chairs with this finial shape. You will note I have cited two of them. I would be happy for bchohn if I am wrong, but proof is needed.

 

[Breezie]

If he would like to sell this chair for $15.00, I'll be glad to buy it. Breezie

Your willingness to buy is not proof of your identification, or disproof of mine. That, I hope, is the purpose of this forum... positive identification.

None of the respected works I have consulted show Shaker chairs with this finial shape. You will note I have cited two of them. I would be happy for bchohn if I am wrong, but proof is needed.

Lucas, I didn't mean for my option to buy as proof or disproof. This time of year is our busiest selling season, and I don't have a lot of extra time, plus I am on the tail-end of getting over having Shingles. I'll come back to this post and add more when I have more time than just popping in & out of TNet. Breezie

 

[Lucas]

No problem Breezie... I guess I must have been from Missouri in a previous life, cause y'all gots to show me.

I would not hesitate to buy that chair for $15, but I know they can be had for that price from experience. They are hard to find locally, but they aren't expensive. My parents have bought them from $10 to $90, some are 18th c., all pre-Civil War.

 

[Breezie]