Object Number 1957.0653

Object Name

Chair (Lolling chair)

Category

Furniture

Credit Line/Donor

Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont

Creator (Role)

General Stephen Badlam (Furniture Maker)
1751-1815

Scalamandré (Fabric manufacturer)

Joseph Li Volsi (Upholsterer)
August 14, 1907-October 22, 1985
Per telephone conversation with Paul Periconi, nephew of Joseph LiVolsi, 08/18/2009: LiVolsi was born on August 14, 1907. His father, Salvatore, and his mother immigrated from Italy. Joseph LiVolsi was a third generation upholsterer. LiVolsi married his wife, Grace on November 18, 1934. In addition to working for Winterthur, Mr. Periconi notes that his uncle did work for the White House refurnishing project and for Mount Vernon, among other museums. LiVolsi worked at home after his retirement until the time of his death. It is very likely that all information, fabric scraps, and tools pertaining to his upholstery business were disposed of after Grace LiVolsi's death in 2007. (SAJ, 08/18/2009) More information about LiVolsi is available on the website: http://www.scovottifamily.com/grace.html

Place of Origin

Dorchester, Massachusetts, New England, United States, North America

Secondary Place of Origin

Long Island City, New York, Mid-Atlantic, United States, North America

Secondary Origin Notes

This fabric, "Brocaurt de Lavallois," (#96118-4, 100% silk), was purchased from Scalamandre Incorporated of Long Island City, New York. It was possibly woven between 1975-1977 and was acquired on 11/24/1987.

Date

1795-1795

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

1. Mark; on the back of the left rear leg; "S/ +/ BADLAM" (Stamped)

Materials

Mahogany; Maple, hard; Birch; Pine, white; Silk; Cotton

Techniques

Woven (compound)

Dimensions (inches)

40.875 (H) , 25.25 (W) , 30.625 (D)

Dimensions (centimeters)

103.51 (H) , 63.82 (W) , 78.11 (D)

Measurement Notes

OW at seat; OD from back of crest to front of seat. W (crest) 23.125 in. (58.6 cm); W (back of arms) 24.875 in. (63.1 cm); W (feet) 25 in. (63.4 cm).

Object Description

Web - 01/23/2019

Mahogany lolling chair with textile upholstery. Foliate-carved straight arm supports and legs with fluted Marlborough feet. The top of the rear leg is stamped "S BADLAM," and the inside seat rail is stamped "S.F".

Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes

[Book] Montgomery, Charles F., et al. 1966 American Furniture: The Federal Period, in the Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum.
• Published: no. 110.