Family Chair

This chair was my Grandmother's. I know that it was all black when I was a child and had black upholstery, so it has been refinished. I do not know anything about it. I am trying to label things with information. So anything would be appreciated. It is one of my favorite chairs. Thank you!!!

 

I think it's a shame it's been refinished, but then, I'm a purist. If it was once black, that would be an ebonised finish. I'd suspect early 19th if I saw it here.

 

I would call this American Empire style.
I am not the expert Brad is, so these are only my opinions.

I would date the chair about 1900 - 1920, although I have seen them dated as early as 1880 to as late as 1940.
Usually mahogany, with a dark finish. You could restore the darker finish if you wanted.
Unfortunately the value on this type of furniture has dropped in the last few years. The fact that it has been refinished lessens the value more.

 

Well, I for one, LIKE it refinished!!! Think the 'ebonized' finish would have been too dark for me personally. My guess would be late 1800's, but Brad's 'da man' to wait for!!!

 

Empire revival 1900-1920. Looks to be non-descript wood stained to mimic mahogany. Probably originally part of a parlor set. Many such sets were sold in Sears and Ward's catalogs as well as through community furniture stores. This was not the high-end furniture of its day but what was affordable for most. With the carved lion heads and paw feet, this was a notch above some furniture available.

 

I really appreciate all of the information! I have been speaking with my family to see if I could any further details and it seems that my Grandmother had the chair stripped down to the bare wood by a furniture restorer. I guess the original stain looked really bad. She did not like how black it was and how the cushions were all black. She then stained it herself with a plain medium stain to bring out the wood grain. She said the furniture restorers removed the original cushions and they had horse hair stuffing. I guess she still has the original cushions somewhere. Just thought I would throw that out there... thanks again for the info.