Lot 536: A BLUE-PAINTED SACK-BACK WINDSOR ARMCHAIR

A BLUE-PAINTED SACK-BACK WINDSOR ARMCHAIR
Attributed to Amos Denison Allen (1774-1855), South Windham, Connecticut, 1795-1805
Retains original blue paint
32¾ in. high

Descended in the family of Amos Denison Allen
David Schorsch, Inc., Woodbury, Conencticut

This lot is offered without reserve.
This dynamic sack-back Windsor armchair was probably made by Amos Denison Allen between 1790-1795 when he was apprenticed to the prolific Windsor chair maker Ebenezer Tracy of Lisbon, Connecticut. Though not branded the chair descended in the Allen family. It is stylistically influenced in its individual parts by Tracy. The same basic seat design, the same leg and stretcher profiles, and the same construction details were used in the Tracy shop.

Though influenced by Tracy this chair becomes a singular Windsor statement when realized by A. D. Allen; The design becomes more aggressive and bolder. The beautifully turned arm supports rake forward echoing the dramatic leg splay. This tension is further emphasized by the flare of the back spindles that swell suddenly right below the arm rail, then fan dramatically upward into a tight bow which is slightly lower than most Allen or Tracy chairs. The overall effect of this is very powerful. Also this Windsor retains its original blue paint. I believe it is one of the great examples of Connecticut Windsor chair making.


Charles Santore, November 2007