Philip D. Zimmerman
Labeled Randolph Chairs Rediscovered

American Furniture 1998

Full Article
Contents
  • Figure 1
    Figure 1

    Side chair (one of a pair) labeled by Benjamin Randolph, Philadelphia, 1765–1775. Mahogany. H. 38 3/8", W. 23 3/4", D. 19". (Courtesy, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, M. and M. Karolik Collection.)

  • Figure 2
    Figure 2

    Detail of the label applied to the inside rear rail of the chair illustrated in fig. 1.

  • Figure 3
    Figure 3

    Detail of veneer repairs to the front rail of the chair illustrated in fig. 1.

  • Figure 4
    Figure 4

    Side chair (one of a pair) labeled by Benjamin Randolph, Philadelphia, 1765–1775. Mahogany. H. 38 3/8", W. 23 3/4", D. 19". (Private collection; photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 5
    Figure 5

    Detail of the label applied to the inside rear rail of the chair illustrated in fig. 4. (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 6
    Figure 6

    Detail of the rear corner block of the chair illustrated in fig. 4, showing screw holes and impressions of an angle-iron plate. (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 7
    Figure 7

    Armchair, Philadelphia, 1765–1775. Mahogany. H. 37", W. 29 1/2", D. 24". (Private collection; photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 8
    Figure 8

    Side chair, Philadelphia, 1765–1775. Mahogany. H. 33 3/8", W. 24 1/4", D. 22". (Private collection; photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 9
    Figure 9

    Detail of the front rail of the armchair illustrated in fig. 7. (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 10
    Figure 10

    Detail of the rear end of the side rail shaping and through-tenon of the chair illustrated in fig. 1, showing two-piece construction.

  • Figure 11
    Figure 11

    Armchair, probably Delaware, 1760–1780. Mahogany. H. 39 1/2", W. 24 3/8". (Courtesy, Winterthur Museum.) The armchair is from the same set as the side chair illustrated in fig. 12.

  • Figure 12
    Figure 12

    Side chair, probably Delaware, 1760–1780. Mahogany. H. 38 11/16", W. 23 13/16". (Courtesy, Winterthur Museum.) This chair has a history of ownership in the Crowe family of Odessa, Delaware.

  • Figure 13
    Figure 13

    Detail of the inside rear rail of the armchair illustrated in fig. 11.

  • Figure 14
    Figure 14

    Detail of the crest rail of the armchair illustrated in fig. 11, showing the carved volutes.

  • Figure 15
    Figure 15

    Detail of the crest rail of the side chair illustrated in fig. 12, showing evidence of removed volutes.

  • Figure 16
    Figure 16

    Detail of carved ornament on the splat of the armchair illustrated in fig. 11.

  • Figure 17
    Figure 17

    Detail of carved ornament on the splat of the side chair illustrated in fig. 12, showing abraded carving.