Turtleback Side Chair1827–183535 1/2 x 17 5/8 x 18 " (90.2 x 44.8 x 45.7 cm)Painted and stencilled woodGift of Helaine and Burton M. Fendelman2017.21.101561986100Thomas Jefferson GildersleeveFurniture/FurnishingsThe American Folk Art Museum believes this work to be in the public domain.http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster19786New YorkNew YorkUnited StatesNew YorkThree Dimensional Works
New YorkIn her book The Ornamented Chair, author Zilla Riden Lea attributes this fancy side chair to Thomas Gildersleeve, whose surviving trade card identifies him as a “gilder and maker of furniture and chairs of all descriptions” in his lower Manhattan shop. Some of the stenciled units on this chair are identical to those found among his extant stencils. This is a rare example from this notable urban shop. Gildersleeve was born in Springfield, New Jersey, and came to New York City as an apprentice in the shop of Richard Tweed (father of “Boss” Tweed). In 1827 he opened his own shop at 237–239 Delancey Street, later relocating to 197 Chatham Street when the street was razed to make way for a bridge. Some elements of Gilder sleeve's stencil kit have survived including packets of metallic powders, papier-mâché boxes, handmade stencil knife, etching tool, and stencils. Eventually the production of such stenciled Fancy chairs was streamlined in manufactories, notably the Hitchcock factory that operated in Connecticut. Object information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.orghttp://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster19786http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster19786http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster1978618271835 2017 21 1 In her book The Ornamented Chair, author Zilla Riden Lea attributes this fancy side chair to Thomas Gildersleeve, whose surviving trade card identifies him as a “gilder and maker of furniture and chairs of all descriptions” in his lower Manhattan shop. Some of the stenciled units on this chair are identical to those found among his extant stencils. This is a rare example from this notable urban shop. Gildersleeve was born in Springfield, New Jersey, and came to New York City as an apprentice in the shop of Richard Tweed (father of “Boss” Tweed). In 1827 he opened his own shop at 237–239 Delancey Street, later relocating to 197 Chatham Street when the street was razed to make way for a bridge. Some elements of Gilder sleeve's stencil kit have survived including packets of metallic powders, papier-mâché boxes, handmade stencil knife, etching tool, and stencils. Eventually the production of such stenciled Fancy chairs was streamlined in manufactories, notably the Hitchcock factory that operated in Connecticut. Object information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.org