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Collectibles-General (Antiques)/Help needed in identifying seat type

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Expert: - 9/14/2008


Question

Chair Frame
My wife recently bought a chair that came without a seat. I'd like to know what kind of seat might have gone on this chair originally. If you look at the picture, you'll see that the chair rails are not in the same plane, so I figure I can't rush it, nor is it clear to me if a leather seat could be put on.

There are tacks on the bottoms of all four rails, and it looks like there are remnants of cloth under some of the tacks. The rails are about 18" wide and about 16" deep (front to back).

Have you come across a chair like this before?

Thanks,

Tom

Answer
Thanks for your question,
 The rails being on different planes is quite common. You can use rush, splint or shaker tape in this type seat. I would assume the tacks are remains of a attempt to upholster the seat or putting some other type of seat in place, leather might be one of them.
To do the seat with one of the mentioned seat types, just allow a little extra slack near the outside edges on your first step so when you weave, there will be enough slack to go over the side rails.
Good Luck with your find,
 Rob
http://www.andersonsrestorations.com

Anderson's Restorations-Rob Anderson

Expertise

We can answer questions about wicker repair and restoration, chair seating[caning-rush-splint-danish cord] furniture refinishing and repair, brass and copper polishing, veneering and veneer repair. WE WILL NOT GIVE APPRAISALS or answer "WHATS IT WORTH" questions. If you want a value, contact us for our current costs for this service.

Experience

Just entered our 40th year doing this work. We started in Fl and have been in NC for the last 15 years. We have a web site www.andersonsrestorations.com where we have alot of information about us and a blog at www.andersons-restorations.blogspot.com where we have many before and after photos of our work.We also are experienced in Fiat Jolly Seats and other automobile seating and work on Horse Drawn Carriage pieces.

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Asked to demonstrate seat weaving at the NC Musuem of History, Paleigh, for 3 days. Demonstrated at the Mountain Heritage Festival, Sparta,NC.

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Restoring 35 pieces of wicker for the Governors Mansion, Raleigh,NC paid through private funding.

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