Object Number 1959.0069

Object Name

Chair (Armchair)

Category

Furniture

Credit Line/Donor

Museum purchase with funds provided by Henry Francis du Pont

Creator (Role)

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

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

Previously attributed to Rhode Island.

Secondary Place of Origin

England or France, Europe

Secondary Origin Notes

Previously dated 1740 -1760, this silk was probably made in England or France between 1705 and 1715

Date

1735-1745

Materials

Walnut, black; Walnut veneer; Maple, soft; Silk

Techniques

Woven (Compound)

Construction Description

Hand-woven

Dimensions (inches)

43.5 (H) , 28.375 (W) , 23.5 (D)

Dimensions (centimeters)

110.49 (H) , 72.073 (W) , 59.69 (D)

Measurement Notes

OW is of arms and OD is of feet. H (seat) 17 in. (43.1 cm); W (crest) 16.75 in (42.5 cm); W (seat front) 23 in. (58.4 cm); W (seat back) 17 in. (43.1 cm); W (feet) 24.375 in (61.9 cm); D (seat) 18.375 in (46.7 cm). Seam to seam, the fabric measures 19.25 inches wide.

Object Description

Text available soon.

Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes

[Book] Richards, Nancy E. & Evans, Nancy Goyne. 1997 New England Furniture at Winterthur: Queen Anne and Chippendale Periods.
• Published: cat. no. 13 (left), pp. 24-26
[Book] Kirk, John T. 1972 American Chairs: Queen Anne and Chippendale.
• Published: fig. 154
[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: figs. 20 & 23, pp. 14-16, where it is dated 1725-30.
[Book] Rothstein, Natalie. 1990 Silk Designs of the Eighteenth Century In the Collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London With a Complete Catalogue. 351.
• Discussion of the "Bizarre" style in silk weaving: p. 37-41, cat. 1-22.
[Book] Cantor, Jay E. 1997 Winterthur. 264.
• Published: p. 105