Object Number 1960.0349

Object Name

Chair (Side chair)

Category

Furniture

Credit Line/Donor

Museum purchase

Creator (Role)

Jacob Forster (Furniture Maker)

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

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

Secondary Place of Origin

England, United Kingdom, Europe

Secondary Origin Notes

This 20th century reproduction haircloth fabric used on this chair was acquired from John Boyd c. 1955.

Date

1795-1795

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

1. Label; Inside rear rail; J. Forster,/ Charlestown, Massa./ 1795

Materials

Mahogany; Satinwood ; Holly; Maple; Horsehair

Techniques

Woven (satin)

Dimensions (inches)

37 (H) , 20.25 (W) , 20 (D)

Dimensions (centimeters)

93.98 (H) , 51.44 (W) , 50.8 (D)

Measurement Notes

OW at seat; OD from back of crest to front of feet. W (crest) 16.5 in. (41.8 cm); W (feet) 19.875 in. (50.4 cm); D (feet) 18.5 in. (46.9 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 32