Pair of Important Philadelphia Shell Carved Walnut Chippendale Side Chairs C1765
About
Pair of antique Philadelphia Chippendale side chairs. Carving is attributed to Nicholas Bernard and Martin Jugiez Philadelphia. Pennsylvania, circa 1765. This pair is closely related to a very similar pair with a history of ownership by Benjamin Franklin. The very similar Benjamin Franklin chairs are shown for comparison in: “Franklin’s Legacy: Documented furnishings,” The Magazine Antiques, December 2005, pl. XII, p. 71; Page Talbott Also: The similar Franklin chairs were illustrated in color: Page Talbott, Ed., Benjamin Franklin, In Search of a Better World” (New Haven, 2005), fig. 4.28, p. 147. Each chair has a floral shell carved crest above a pierced splat. The front rails have a carved shell and floral leaf carved cabriole legs. The legs terminate in well carved ball and claw feet. The slip seats are upholstered in a gold silk damask. Many consider Bernard and Jugiez the finest 18th century American carvers. These chairs have 17.75″ seat height.
