Object Number 1951.0021

Object Name

Chair (Easy chair)

Category

Furniture

Credit Line/Donor

Gift of Henry Francis du Pont

Creator (Role)

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

John Welch (Carver)

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

Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, New England, United States, North America

Origin Notes

Carving attributed to John Welch by Keno, Freund, and Miller, "Very Pink of the Mode: Boston Georgian Chairs," in American Furniture (1996), fig. 15, p. 278.

Secondary Place of Origin

Norwich, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Secondary Origin Notes

The main fabric on this chair was made in England, probably Norwich, between 1750 and 1800.

Date

1730-1740

Materials

Walnut, black; Maple, soft; Wool; Cotton; Silk

Techniques

Woven (damask), Woven (brocaded)

Dimensions (inches)

46 (H) , 35.5 (W) , 28.5 (D)

Dimensions (centimeters)

116.84 (H) , 90.17 (W) , 72.39 (D)

Measurement Notes

OW at arms; OD from back of crest to front of seat. H (seat frame) 12.25 in. (31.1 cm); W (wings) 28.25 in. (71.7 cm); W (seat front) 30.5 in. (77.4 cm); W (seat back) 23.875 in. (60.6 cm); W (feet) 30.75 in. (76.2 cm); D (seat) 23 in. (58.4 cm); D (feet) 25 in. (63.5 cm).

Object Description

Text available soon.

Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes

[Book] Nix, Michael. 2023 Norwich Textiles: A Global Story 1750 - 1840.
• Published: p. 8, fig. 0.6
[Book] Richards, Nancy E. & Evans, Nancy Goyne. 1997 New England Furniture at Winterthur: Queen Anne and Chippendale Periods.
• Published: cat. no. 82, pp. 151-52
[Book] Downs, Joseph & du Pont, Henry Francis. 1952 American Furniture: Queen Anne and Chippendale Periods, in the Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum.
• Published: fig. 79
[Article] Keno, Leigh, et al. 1996 "The Very Pink of the Mode: Boston Georgian Chairs, Their Export, and Their Influence". American Furniture. 1996: 267-306.
• Published: fig. 15, p. 278
[Article] Freund, Joan Barzilay & Keno, Leigh. 1998 "The Making and Marketing of Boston Seating Furniture in the Late Baroque Style". American Furniture. 1998: 1-40.
• Published: fig. 38, pp. 21-23.
[Catalogue] Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc. 1944 "The Americana Collection of the Late Mrs. J. Amory Haskell, Part 2" (May 17-20, 1944).
• Published: lot 746.
[Electronic] Yale University Art Gallery. Rhode Island Furniture Archive. http://rifa.art.yale.edu/index.htm
• RIF2696