Splat-back armchair
Attributed to the shop of John Gaines III American
In the design and construction of this armchair, the incline of the back, relaxed slope of the arms, and forward pull of the powerful ram’s-horn handgrips are in perfect balance. The scrolls, foliate carvings, and piercing of the crest rail and the extended length and breadth of the outward-sweeping carved feet are design elements associated with John Gaines III. Trained by his father, a turner and chairmaker in Ipswich, Massachusetts, Gaines moved in 1724 to Portsmouth, where his shop remained active until 1745.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.