New England, probably Eastern Massachusetts, circa 1690

Painted reddish-black, the back comprised of two turned posts capped by compressed ball and ring turned finials and flanking three slats, the flat arms connected to turned front posts with compressed ball hand-holds, the rush-seat above turned stretchers.

The thin reddish-brown wash is very early and appears to be original. The chair has had a coat of varnish applied at some point.
Approximately 5 inches of each foot has been "extended"- probably to repair losses from early worm-damage and wear. When the feet were extended, probably over 75 years ago, the added sections were painted and, in order for the repair to 'blend in', some paint was extended several inches up the foot (over the original paint) hence the added paint on the lower area of the original front posts.

The three slats are all original to the chair. Several 17th century American Slat back chairs exist which have a middle slat that is smaller in height than the flanking slats. This is the case with the present chair. The middle slat is shorter in height than the two flanking slats.

For a 17th century Great Chair quite possibly from the same shop and with the same configuration of two tall slats flanking a shorter middle slat,please see Wallace Nutting, "Furniture Treasury" No.351 "Pilgrim Slat-Back" (see photo below)

The slat is original to this chair and is still fitted into the mortises which were originally cut for it. The finish is the same on all three slats (front, back, top and underside). Also, if the center slat had been replaced, the chair would have to be disassembled and there would be evidence of the wooden pins (inserted into the rear of the upper back posts) having been removed. The chair has never been apart: the two slightly protruding pins on the back side of the upper back posts have not been moved. Finally, and most importantly, examination of the mortises in the back posts reveals that the mortises were cut especially to fit the specific size of each slat. (Height of Top and bottom slats are each 2 1/4 in. high where they meet the back posts and height of middle slat is 1 1/4 in high were it meets the back posts). The back posts clearly show both the mortise which was cut to receive each of the slats as well as the scribe lines to lay them out. The central "raised" portion, 9 inches (of 13 inches) of the top edge of the middle slat has been reduced in height by about 3/4 inch. The surface of the top edge of EACH slat is old and dark, suggesting that this alteration was probably done, based on the upper surface, in the 18th century. This middle slat, ergonomically speaking, is the only slat that actually supports the back. By designing it to be lower in height, it would create a more flexible support (ie: it would have more “give” from the weight of the sitter's back and hence, allow for some comfort in a straight back chair.
The rush seat is very old (but probably 19th century) and the rush is dry and brittle. There are losses to the rush, especially near the front of the seat.