BUCKINGHAM COUNTY, VIRGINIA WRITING ARM WINDSOR CHAIR, oak, yellow pine, and poplar, the shaped tablet crest rail with incised decoration at center over a seven-spindle back above a shaped plank seat flanked by a shaped arm rest and large writing board with drawer underneath, all raised on turned and splayed legs joined with box stretcher. Old natural surface with warm color, probably painted black originally. From a Buckingham Co., VA family. Late 18th/early 19th century. 33 1/4" HOA, 36" WOA, 34" DOA. 17 1/2" x 22" seat.
Literature: See Giles Cromwell - MESDA Journal, May 1980, Volume VI, Number 1, fig. 11, p. 14; Hurst/Prown - Southern Furniture, p. 171, fig. 47; and JSE & Associates, June 21, 2014, lot 438 for similar examples with Richmond attributions.
Provenance: Property of a private Virginia collector.
Catalogue Note: The present example, descended in a Buckingham Co., VA family, represents a backcountry interpretation of an urban form. In this instance, the urban center of influence was Richmond, VA around the turn of the 19th century, where craftsmen Andrew and Robert McKim operated a chair manufactory and produced these distinctive writing arm chairs along with other Windsor-style seating furniture. Undoubtedly, the maker of the present example had come into contact with the work of the McKim brothers and produced his own example based on their prototypes. The result is a fine rural version of a rare American seating form.

Good condition overall with expected usage wear and small areas of repair (added filler) to seat and writing board. Possible restoration to base.