looking for insights re; this chair ?

Discussion in 'Furniture' started by FIJI, Jul 8, 2020.

  1. FIJI

    FIJI New Member

    Doing some work on this high backed, carved chair for a client. He has no history on it. No markings found (yet).

    Anyone have any insights? Coat of arms info IMG_0842.jpg IMG_0834.jpg IMG_0834.jpg ?

    Thanks
     
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  2. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    I don't do furniture, but the helmet on the guy on the back seems like a cross between the one often worn by Athena, with a face for the visor & the lion skin of Hercules, who never wears a helmet.

    upload_2020-7-8_17-49-14.png
    Tiger Eye Hercules.png

    I don't know if this marks him as anyone in particular or just fantasy Trojan War type. (And before you start calling him a Trojan warrior, bear in mind that the Greeks won that war & most heroes depicted are from that side.)
     
  3. Ghopper1924

    Ghopper1924 Well-Known Member

    I believe the figure is Pericles, Athenian statesman. I'd say the chair is oak, ca. 1900, utilizing some modified 17th century design precedents along with the expected late Victorian motifs. It could be from any locale from Brittany to New York.
     
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  4. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    Anybody think it might be a fraternity chair of some kind?
     
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  5. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    Pericles is conventionally shown in a Corinthian helmet.

    Pericles Marchant cast.jpg
     
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  6. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    A fraternity chair would carry fraternity's crest.

    Debora
     
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  7. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    You're right it would have the letters.
    I was looking at the shield. Was thinking of a lodge chair or the like. Elks, Masons, etc are considered fraternities as well aren't they? Not saying that this chair is for either of the two I mentioned.

    Hmm - looks like the right leg is missing from the eagle.

    upload_2020-7-8_21-42-0.png
     
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  8. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Pretty generic symbolism -- eagle with fleur-de-lis.

    Debora

    boy-scouts-emblem.jpg
     
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  9. Sedona

    Sedona Well-Known Member

    I agree that it looks like oak; any chance that it’s walnut? Or, would that be a lighter wood?
     
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  10. verybrad

    verybrad Well-Known Member

    Not oak and I don't think walnut. Looks like something more non-descript with a walnut stain. Maybe birch if American or beech if European.
     
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  11. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    I agree, this kind of Historic Revival furniture rarely had specific crests.
     
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  12. Figtree3

    Figtree3 What would you do if you weren't afraid?

    Apparently Alexander the Great is said to have worn a helmet with the head of a lion. I don't think the chair is necessarily referencing that. I just wanted to find somebody wearing a lion helmet so am posting here. I have found a variety of depictions of Alexander with a lion helmet and they differ quite a bit from each other.

    This link goes to the Art Institute of Chicago, with a picture of an ancient coin in their collection: https://www.artic.edu/artworks/1992...aring-the-head-of-the-nemean-lion-as-a-helmet

    And this is the picture:
    Alexander the Great helmet.png
     
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