Featured Please help identify this chair

I found this chair a few years ago at an estate sale, I paid $60 for it. I just like the looks of it, but don't know a thing about it. Please comment if you know anything about it.

 

I know nothing about it but the look screams late Victorian to me unexpert eyes.

The furniture boardies will want more photos, the back, the underside and any construction details

 

Here is the back and under side.

 

It looks very comphy......
the trim & fabric scream re-upped in the 60's.....

 

the casters look older....any markings on them ???

 

Casters are brass plated, no markings

 

then just maybe the fabric is original..........?

 

It is a crushed velvet I'm guessing, some wear but not in bad shape. It does not look like it was use much.

 

Guesses John Jelliff style parlor/arm chair, 1870s

 

The carved female heads, it's kind of a fav Jelliff design feature. Was once in a discussion about what those heads represent, some say Lady Liberty, some say Jenny Lind, i have no idea!
Unless a makers mark or attribution through provenance or construction details, "in style of" is what i say.

 

There were not a lot of imitators for Jelliff, because that much carving on the arms would just add to the cost, making it uneconomical to imitate his workshop. There was one other, however, which was Pottier & Stymus of New York City; their work is quite similar although there are subtle differences.

So: Jelliff. His shop and "wareroom" were in Newark, New Jersey. This is an excellent example of a chair that was part of a multi-piece parlor set, also containing a sofa and/or loveseat and side chairs.

Probably 1865-80, walnut. Jelliff himself had retired by then, but his workshop continued.

You got a heck of a deal, Michael77. Even in today's depressed market.

 

Well thanks for your comments, you've giving way more than I had. Any idea what the value on a chair like this?

 

Folks are asking around $1K each for similar chairs on Whee-Bay. Don't know if any have sold. In the U.S. midwest I'd expect to pay at least $500 for one at auction.

Oh, and the style is renaissance revival.

 

Thank you! I guess this one is a keeper, I just liked it at first glance. I've had this chair for maybe 10 years.

 

Does not look the least bit like Jenny Lind. Lady Liberty may be right. It's at least closer:


This was sold as Jenny Lind. Can't validate, but looks more like her than the chair arms do:

 

Brittania is a name that also comes up quite a bit.

 

Seems a less likely choice for an American furniture maker than Liberty. Most depictions of Britannia have her in a helmet.

 

If i had to bet, I'd bet it's none of the above. I would guess more likely a clever marketing campaign to appeal to the decision maker in parlor furniture selection and, we all know who that is.