Object Number 1957.1044

Object Name

Chair (Easy chair)

Category

Furniture

Credit Line/Donor

Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont

Creator (Role)

Unknown (Furniture Maker)
This record is to be used when the maker of an object is unknown.

Brunschwig & Fils, Inc. (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

Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic, United States, North America

Origin Notes

Rear turned legs are seldom seen on mahogany American chairs except in Philadelphia (see also armchair 53.58).

Secondary Place of Origin

White Plains, New York, Mid-Atlantic, United States, North America

Secondary Origin Notes

The chair was upholstered in the early 20th century using fabric made by Brunschwig & Fils, Inc in 1970-1971.

Date

1805-1815

Materials

Mahogany; Pine, white; Silk

Techniques

Woven (compound), Woven (plain), Roller printed, Raised style

Dimensions (inches)

33.75 (H) , 24 (W) , 23.25 (D)

Dimensions (centimeters)

85.725 (H) , 60.96 (W) , 59.055 (D)

Measurement Notes

OW at arms; OD from back of crest to front of feet. W (seat) 23.25 in. (58.9 cm); W (feet) 22.375 in. (56.7 cm); D (seat) 16.5 in. (41.9 cm).

Object Description

Text available soon.

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. 131.
[Book] Sweeney, John A. H. 1963 The Treasure House of Early American Rooms.
• Published with old upholstery: p. 110