Early Chair Identification

Hoping someone can provide insight as to what this chair is?? Thanks in advance for any input.

 

It looks Spanish - although the damage (missing finial and spindle) would make it a difficult sale.

 

It does. And agree re condition.

Debora

 

Thanks for the replies! Any ideas on what the symbol carved on the chair represents? Also ideas on age? It's constructed with wooden pegs if that helps on age. Thanks again!

 

We really need to see the underside of the chair and the back as well. Similar chairs date back to 1830's or 40's but we would need to see construction, etc.

 

Tree of Life? Possibly from a church?

 

Here are some additional photos of the chair. I searched for the cross-like/dagger image on the chair and found nothing. As stated, the fasteners are wooden pegs...anyone know when wooden pegs fell out of use in this type of construction? Thanks to everyone who has offered insight!

 

Pegs are still often used in rustic construction like this. I really don't think this is terribly old. I do see some straight saw marks on the underside of the seat and this is often seen as a sign of mid-19th century construction. However, this type of saw was probably used much later in a country setting in Spain (or Mexico), which is the likely origin of your chair. The spindles and finial appear to be machine turned. The chair may be an antique but I think no earlier than late 19th century and possibly on into the 20th.

 

And that's the style. In Spain (or México) it would be called Rústico or Rustic.

Debora

 

Actually, I'm feeling 19 teens to 1920s on this.

 

Yes. Laura9797 and verybrad are quite correct. The chair is considered Mexican and some call them "Spanish Mission" chairs. They were used in the stead of pews and connected one to another on a single side.

Dating it would be a very interesting task, especially to confirm if it pre-dates the Mexican-American War (making it quite desirable).

Mind you, there may have been not-so-delicate repairs made to it throughout its life. Different nails, screws or glues may throw you off a bit it. Nevertheless, when searching diligently, all answers will eventually come - with patience.

Great find!

 

I think a product of the Sp Colonial Revival craze started by the Panama-Pacific Ex. that took the Western states as well as the whole of Latin America by storm, there fading slowly into the 30s with a brief revival-revival in the 50s. The chair will complement the décor well, but not a centerpiece.