Featured Heart shaped motive on antique chair origins?

I purchased this chair recently and found the 4 hearts in the top rail intriguing. The wood appears to be ash, the stiles have nipple finials, it has a rush seat and the top rail is held in by a wooden pin on either side. No nails or screws. I don't think it's American unless it was made in a very small regional style. Might it be Welsh? I know they used hearts. It's hard to date, but I would venture at least first half 19c. Anyone with any guesses? thanks.

 

P.S. it has traces of old black paint.

 

I was wondering the same, INH. Plus, isn't the "rush" actually rope?

 

I suspect the upside down hearts were a pattern popular at the early part of the 1900s.
I have a Queen Anne Cottage with porch. My porch railings have upside down hearts. I'm in CA.

 

@i need help - The reversed heart motif isn't all that uncommon on Windsors in any event.

https://www.courtyardantiques.net/e...ountry-kitchen-chairs/prod_10920#.XdGMKbgrwwA




@Richard C - The fretwork hearts seem actually on the back splats, and not on the top rail from what I'm seeing, yes?
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The spindles on house stairs round here have upside down hearts. 1920s built.

 

I'd say ca. 1900 or so on this.

 

Here’s a matching armchair, Liberty & Co., you’ll have to verify that attribution.
http://www.redhouseantiques.co.uk/view.php?id=as179a1395&n=Furniture&ln=Antiques

 

Hearts were kinda a big deal in early 1900s Arts & Craft movement weren't they? particularly in England?

 

or the Ace of Spades ?

 

Spades have tails. Yes, hearts were a big thing here.

 

tulips ?

 

Love the chair.

They are actually a 'bums on seats' motif.
I'll go and hide now.

 

I'd say @anundverkaufen nailed this one, dead on similar form.

 

It is an exact match with the exception of being a side chair. I'm happy to own an example of furniture associated with Liberty & Co. and thank everyone for their answers, without which I would have never found this out.