This piano stool distinguishes itself with finely carved embellishments in the swiveling upper seat, with a classic fruit basket flanked by scroll supports, below a paneled crest rail of figured mahogany which is similarly echoed in the seat apron. The upper crest rail is reminiscent of the preceding Federal Phyfe style. Further, the side rails are beautifully scrolled.
The support structure for the chair pulls out all
the bells and whistles connotated by the empire style. The center column is turned above
and below the primary bulbous reeded melon support. All are supported by strongly carved
paw feet below scrolled embellishments and–if this were not enough–carved panels at the
base of the column. While it is tempting to connote this chair with the work being done in
Philadelphia, Quervelle school, a definitive attribution cannot be made, as many fine
shops in New York or Boston were capable of such work.
Height: 30 in. Width: 13 3/4 in.
Depth: 17 1/2 in.