Philadelphia, PA, Circa 1770

Each with serpentine crest rail with flared ears centered by a carved shell, above a pierced splat with carved volutes, the molded trapezoidal seat frame above graceful cabriole legs with delicate ankles and ending in ball-and-claw feet.

Note: Intact sets of American Colonial chairs are very rare. The fact that this set has survived in such excellent condition is remarkable. The original slip-seat frames come with the chairs; the present slip seats were made using modern wood to preserve the integrity of the original frames.

Provenance: According to family tradition, purchased June 7, 1849 by Abigail Hawk (Mrs. William Sinclair) from a neighbor in Trenton, New Jersey. Sold by Mrs. William Sinclair to Dr. George K. and Florence Parker; Purchased July, 1977 by C. L. Prickett Antiques, Yardley, PA.; Private Collection; Christie's, New York, Important American Furniture, Folk Art, Silver and Prints, January 21, 2005, lot 330. Sold for $120,000 (incl. BP); C.L. Prickett and Sons; Distinguished Private New York Collection of American Furniture

Literature: Illustrated in: C.L. Prickett Advertisement, The Magazine Antiques (October 1977), p. 621.

Dimensions: Height: 39 1/2 in.

This set of six chairs have survived in an extraordinary state of preservation: each chair retains its original pine slip-seat frame and glue blocks; surface has been lightly cleaned but retains a warm mellow patina and some areas, such as the seat rails and feet, retaining their original surface.