PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA CHIPPENDALE MAHOGANY SMOKING / CORNER CHAIR, a fine and rare example, with broad D-shaped arm rail with applied low crest and out-turned rounded terminals, over two complex carved splats featuring four vertical piercing over a figure-eight element within a vase-shaped frame, flanked by columnar arm supports, above a square molded-edge seat frame with deeply scalloped side rails, raised on square-tapered legs. Later replaced seat frame. Old historic surface with deep, rich color. Circa 1785-1795. 33 1/4" H, 18" SQ seat.

Literature: Hurst/Prown - Southern Furniture, 1680-1830, pps. 111-112, figs. 25-25.2. Prown, "A Cultural Analysis of Furniture-Making in Petersburg, Virginia, 1760-1820", MESDA, Journal of Early Southern Decorative Arts, Vol. XVIII, No. 1, May 1992, p. 45, fig. 35.

Provenance: Ex-estate of Lillian Sydnor, Richmond, VA.

Catalogue Note: Catalogue Note: This corner chair descended in the Sydnor family of Richmond and Petersburg, VA, an important early Virginia family with a long history in the Commonwealth. The Sydnors were also connected with another prominent Virginia family, the Burwells, Ann Spotswood Burwell (1808-1858) of Mecklenburg Co. having married Beverley Sydnor (1805-1881) in 1828.
This corner chair is possibly from the same shop as that which made a set of chairs for the family of William R. Davie, an important planter and politician in Halifax Co., North Carolina who looked to Petersburg nearby for fashionable furniture when it was needed. A side chair from the Davie's set is illustrated by Jonathan Prown, "A Cultural Analysis of Furniture-Making in Petersburg, Virginia, 1760-1820", MESDA, Journal of Early Southern Decorative Arts, Vol. XVIII, No. 1, May 1992, p. 45, fig. 35. A rare survival from an important early Southern manufacturing and mercantile center, this appearance of this armchair on the market represents a unique opportunity to acquire a beautiful and authentic 18th-century piece of Virginia seating furniture.

Good condition overall with expected wear to surface. Converted to a necessary chair in the early 19th century with associated old replaced support strips to inner back rails. Crack and old repair to back edge of right foot. Cracks and old repairs to splats with some separation to left splat which is loose.