Need Help Identifying

Hello all,

I'm wondering if anyone can help me identify the chair in the attached photograph. Wooden antique desk chair on wheels with what appears to be a compass star or Ishtar Star engraving and additional carvings I don't recognize.

I'm looking to identify the period, and style maybe find others online of its era. Are the engravings common insignia? The photo is of the County Law Library in Santa Barbara County Courthouse, built in 1929.

I'm thinking the chair is perhaps Eastlake Victorian, or perhaps Aesthetics Movement?

 

Welcome, Qbaker. I'm afraid the screenshot gives a very limited view of the chair you're asking about. Any chance you could make the photo itself larger after cropping out all the rest of screen?

 

I found your photo and another as well. If you look at the photo of the gentleman sitting in the chair it looks like it has legs where the other leather chair has the cross lion feet. Anyway I hope this helps.

 

Thanks, SIS. Much better than the screenshot.

 

Thank you very much

 

These aren't very good but the star chair in this photo doesn't seem to have rollers.

 

Well now "that" makes a big difference. Thank you!

 

I'm not good with furniture so wait for an expert to come along but I'm thinking Spanish Renaissance style maybe. Could that be a compass star?

And welcome!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/192666441/1920s-antique-furniture-engraving-from

 

Thank you again- Yes, there is striking resemblance. From your suggestion I've looked at other images and am wondering now about even Italian renaissance along with Spanish. Still, Spanish is in more likely with the more square than curved formation. This is far left from Aesthetic Movement and Eastlake.

 

Spanish revival 1920s-30s. Style was very popular in CA. Star is not typical and agree that it resembles a directional (compass) star found on maps.

 

Thank you.

 

How did you narrow your assessment down to Spanish Revival? (I'm not antique furniture expert at all, I enjoy art and antique furniture and history). Could you offer any suggestions (or resources) on how to identify pieces of this period?

 

40 years of experience can not be condensed into a few tips. There are surely some books on the style. I was able to find this one, though it doesn't seem all that scholarly.

https://www.amazon.com/California-R...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=DNKE0CW1D3EV0H8B9F1Y

 

Thank you verybrad for your reply. It seems Spanish Hall Chair is the category the chair fits into of Spanish Revival period as you shared. In looking at other hall chairs of the period it seems you are also correct the star is not typical as I've found no other hall chair (or other furniture piece of the period) that has this design. It does seem typical however of the hall chairs of the period to contain some sort of engraving or other design on the chairs inner back. Would you say I am far from shore? lol

Thank you for your assistance!

 

I appreciate your years of dedication to the study and scholarly research. Thank for the reading recommendation, and your assistance. Nice to meet you.

 

Welcome!

 

Thank you

 

Are Spanish Revival and Spanish Renaissance synonymous, the same movement?

 

I think pretty much synonymous, though revival seems to be the preferred word for furniture not of the period. Renaissance generally refers to a period in Europe from the 14th-17th century and there is even renaissance revival furniture. There is Spanish revival furniture from the 19th century so using the term with an era is important. Furniture style is fashion driven and somewhat specific to place. Construction and forms differed for similar styles over time and place. All of these things need to be taken in to consideration when evaluating a piece of furniture.

 

I see. From what I've read the (1915) San Diego Expo started the Spanish Revival. Might you know if and how this influenced the Revival period and furniture?