CHAIR
CultureCanadian
Datec. 1855
DimensionsOther (.A): 79.6 x 40.3 x 3 cm (31 5/16 x 15 7/8 x 1 3/16 in.)
Other (.B): 81 x 42.3 x 2.8 cm (31 7/8 x 16 5/8 x 1 1/8 in.)
Other (.C): 80.2 x 35.5 x 3 cm (31 9/16 x 14 x 1 3/16 in.)
Object numberHF.2016.23.1a-d
DescriptionFour Windsor style chairs, locally referred to as "Wilt". Each chair has turned legs with double "H" stretchers. The chair seats are contoured on the sides to narrow in the middle. The chair backs are rectangular consisting of 5 turned spindles with 2 thicker, decorative spindles on either side. The spindles are fitted into the back rail at their top, and the back of the seat at the bottom. The legs, stretchers and spindles of all four chairs feature bamboo style turnings. All four chairs are stained dark brown. (A) A faint handwritten inscription is visible on the seat base. Circular saw marks are visible on the wood. (B) A small knot in the wood is visible on the centre of the seat along with small saw marks at the back of the seat base. (C) There is a small knot visible in the wood towards the back right of the seat base. (D) Circular saw marks are visible on the seat base. A small wood knot features towards the back left of the seat along with a central gouge in the wood.
Narrative
Based out of Georgetown in the mid-late 1800s, the Wilt family became well known as chair-makers and adapted the typical Sheraton-style "fancy" chair to a regional level such that this Windsor-styled adaptation is locally known as a Wilt chair. Barnett Wilt's three sons, Willian, John, and Hugh followed in his foot-steps as chairmakers, as well as Barnett's son-in-law, William Batchilder.
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