CHAIR
CulturePrince Edward Island
Datecirca 1840
Dimensions74.5 x 45 x 37 cm
Credit LineWilt
Object numberHF.71.13.2
DescriptionHardwood Windsor style rocking chair. The chair has a saddle seat and the back is slightly fanned with back spindles. The exterior spindles on the back have a bamboo design. The interior spindles are undecorated and taper towards top. The legs and H-stretcher are also decorated with a bamboo design. The rockers are set into the leg bottoms and taper at either end. Narrative
The Wilt family arrived on PEI in the early 1800s having travelled from England to the US, arriving on PEI through Nova Scotia. Barnett Wilt, a ship carpenter, became well known locally for his chairs. The earliest known Wilt chairs are considered to be of the best quality as they show considerable and delicate skill and combine a certain amount of American and Nova Scotian influence.
Wilt chairs are attributable across 4-5 generations of the Wilt family and demonstrate a continuity of style for 80-90 years. The “Wilt” style can be considered a localized evolution of the Windsor chair. Later Wilt chairs are attributed to William Batchilder, a brother-in-law to the Wilt family who continued the traditional style of chairmaking.
Wilt chairs are attributable across 4-5 generations of the Wilt family and demonstrate a continuity of style for 80-90 years. The “Wilt” style can be considered a localized evolution of the Windsor chair. Later Wilt chairs are attributed to William Batchilder, a brother-in-law to the Wilt family who continued the traditional style of chairmaking.
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