CHAIR
Datecirca 1880
Dimensions83 x 64.5 x 33 cm
Object numberHF.76.129.1
DescriptionBent wood arm chair made from peeled branches that are bent or arranged to form the chairs shape. The front legs extend above the seat, as do the back posts. There are box stretcher with decorative diagonals that run from the front and back uprights at sides to the seat an additional vertical upright runs from the center of the front stretcher to the front seat rail. The front and back seat rails support a split branch seat. The arms of the chair curve downward, extending from the back rail to the arm supports. The back is made of two forked and one single branch. The construction of the chair is secured with nails.Narrative
This chair is described as a "Chief's Chair" and is dated to c.1870-1880s. The chair maintains its original finish. Very similar to chairs made by people from Passamoquoddy First Nation. Passamoquoddy, Maliseet and Mi'kmaq peoples inhabited overlapping areas and it is highly likely that people, ideas and artistic styles moved between the groups of people. Some examples of this style of chair have been made by Mi'kmaw furniture makers in Nova Scotia up until the 1970, gaining popularity in the 1890s.
This chair was purchased on PEI but without any definitive provenance, it is unclear if the chair was actually made on PEI and how it came to be on the Island.
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