William and Mary Bannister Back Arm Chair

SOLD

Rare and Important William and Mary Black-Paint Decorated Carved and Turned Bannister-Back Armchair. New York, probably Hudson Valley, ca. 1680-1700. Maple, ash. Fine condition, retains an old black-painted 19th century surface. The rush seat appears to be early, but not original. One minor repair to the upper portion of the right bannister. The foliate carved crest flanked by urn and ball finials above block and turned stiles is repeated in the form of the five slat bannisters. The carved scrolled arms are supported by baluster and ring turned posts with the trapezoid seat supported by block and turned front legs ending on bulb turned feet with a front bulbous turned stretcher. Ginsburg & Levy, Inc. New York; Collection of Katherine Prentiss Murphy; The New York Historical Society (1951-1981); A private Massachusetts collection; Leigh Keno, 2008; Private Collection. Illustrated in Bernard & S. Dean Levy, In Search of Excellence.