Illus. 144.—Five-slat Chair,
about 1750.
Two slat-back chairs are shown in Illustration [143] from the Whipple house in Ipswich. The large chair was found in the country, stuffed and covered with many layers of wadding and various materials. When they were removed, this frame was disclosed, but the tops of the posts had been sawed off. The back posts should terminate in a turned knob, like the Carver chair in Illustration [122], which this chair strongly resembles, the slats taking the place of the turned spindles of the Carver chair. The small chair is probably of later date, and was evidently intended for a child’s use. Chairs with three-slat backs are in Illustrations [54] and [201].
Illus. 145.—Pennsylvania
Slat-back Chair, 1740-1750.
Illustration [144] shows a five-slat or five-back chair owned by the writer. It was made about 1750, and the rockers were probably added twenty-five or thirty years later. They project as far in front as in the back, which is evidence of their age. Later rockers were made longer, probably for safety, the short rocker at the back proving dangerous to the equilibrium of a too vigorous occupant of the rocking chair. This chair has never been restored and is a very good example of the slat-back chair. It is painted black with lines of yellow.
Illustration [145] shows an arm-chair with a five-slat back which is now the property of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. The slats are the typical Pennsylvania ones, made to fit the back, with a deeper curve than some, and, as may be seen by comparing them with others illustrated, with a more decided curve to both the upper and lower edges of the slats. The stretcher across the front is turned and is unusually heavy.
Illus. 146.—Windsor Chairs, 1750-1775.
The type of chair succeeding the slat-back in popularity was the Windsor, which was made for years in large numbers both in England and America.