Object Number 1951.0002.002

Object Name

Chair (Side 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.

Prelle et Cie (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

This chair was made in Philadelphia between 1800 and 1815. It was re-upholstered by Joseph Li Volsi between April and June of 1968.

Secondary Place of Origin

France, Europe

Secondary Origin Notes

This reproduction fabric was made in 1966 by Prelle et Cie for Winterthur.

Date

1800-1815

Materials

Mahogany; Ash; Pine, hard; Silk

Techniques

Woven (compound)

Dimensions (inches)

34.5 (H) , 18.5 (W) , 19.875 (D)

Dimensions (centimeters)

87.31 (H) , 47 (W) , 43.19 (D)

Measurement Notes

OW at seat; OD from back of crest to front of seat. W (crest) 15.5 in. (39.2 cm); W (feet) 14.325 in. (37 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. 95.
[Book] Burnham, Dorothy K. 1980 Warp and Weft: a Textile Terminology. 216.
• Discussion of lampas: p. 82-83.
[Manuscript] Bertrand, Rebecca & Parks, Sarah. Seasonal Change Study.
• See Curator of Textiles for Seasonal Change Study binder discussing this object.