Artmink

American Eastlake Period Walnut Upholstered Side Chair

By: Unknown maker

Style: Victorian, Eastlake (Aesthetic Movement)

Origin: United States

Materials: Walnut frame; brass casters; modern striped velvet upholstery; likely jute webbing/springs inside the seat

Age: circa 1875–1890

Condition: Good (frame solid with age patina; later upholstery shows stains and wear; casters worn but present)

Value: $60–$120 (auction/wholesale)

Maker's Marks / Writing: No maker’s mark observed.

Date: 2025-10-19 03:51:48.568238

Description:

Late 19th-century parlor/side chair with an Eastlake carved crest rail (fan and geometric incising), rectangular upholstered back panel, turned and ringed front legs on brass casters, and gently splayed rear legs. Seat and back are reupholstered in a later striped cut-velvet fabric; original finish and patina to the walnut frame.

Curator Questions

Curated by Jade

Assessment:

A well-proportioned Eastlake period side chair in walnut with good original surface and characteristic incised decoration. The upholstery is a later replacement and shows wear and staining, but the frame appears stable. A word about fakes.. Eastlake furniture has been widely reproduced, especially in the mid-to-late 20th century; watch for overly sharp machine carving, modern Phillips screws, shiny new finishes, and new casters. This example shows period construction and age-appropriate patina, supporting a late 19th-century date.

Individual Images:

• none

Provenance:

Not provided.

Condition:

Good (frame solid with age patina; later upholstery shows stains and wear; casters worn but present)

Identification Score: 88%

Form, carved fan crest, geometric incising at corners and apron, turned front legs with brass casters, and splayed rear legs are all classic Eastlake features. Minor uncertainty remains regarding country of manufacture (U.S. vs. U.K.), but U.S. production is most likely.

Authenticity Score: 72%

Visible oxidation and wear on brass casters, shrinkage and patina to the walnut, and machine-incised decoration consistent with genuine Eastlake period production. Upholstery and dust cover are later, but frame construction and surface suggest late 19th century rather than a recent reproduction.

Image Memory Note

None     None

Keywords

Eastlake, Victorian, Aesthetic Movement, walnut side chair, American, 19th century, parlor chair, brass casters

Report ID:  : vmapu9

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