THIS ITEM: Large sets of vintage formal fine dining chairs, in the classical straight-leg Chippendale style, finely crafted of all genuine solidwood mahogany, with no veneers or secondary woods, featuring fine design and historic authenticity, shell-carved backs, and delicate fancy pierced splats.
As this type of chair goes, these have it all! They are among the best you can get, expertly crafted of very high quality, made by the Hickory Chair Company. The Hickory Company calls them the "Rhode Island" chair, but they are actually modeled after authentic antique Philadelphia styles. They are not overdone or over-carved, as are so many you see on the market today. They have some age, but not much, and are considered vintage reproductions, the original style having been introduced in the 18th century, 200 years ago.
We believe these were made in the 1960s or 70s. They are true to form in both small details, as well as overall appearance, and have that elegant formal look and delicately perched presence. They make those clutsy new pros look, well... just clutsy! They are rather overconstructed, and extremely solid of build, yet do not look "thick" or chunky, as is the tendency with lesser quality chairs. The design retains the light airy elegance and verticality, despite the wide stance and heavy-duty build. The wood is also of better quality, with nothing but mahogany displayed everywhere. Cheaper models use cheaper woods that are stained dark to resemble mahogany. These, in contrast, are genuine throughout.
Last, but not least, they retain a gorgeous and quality rich reddish mahogany original finish, with a nice patina, and the original factory-issue REAL leather hide seats in dark red burgundy, very classy, a premium feature you don't often find on large sets of Hickory chairs! They need nothing, and are ready for use in the home. If you wish to recover the seats with your own fabric, they unscrew easily from beneath, as standard. Please study all the pics, options, and additional information below before making your purchase.
NOTE: THIS LISTING IS FOR LARGE SETS ONLY. Out of the 88x chairs we started with in August, this is the last of them! when they're gone, they're gone forever! This is a once-in-a-lifetime find, and we will not be able to restock these when they are sold-out. This last lot will be sold as a full & complete large set of either 10x, 12, or 14x pcs only. As the value and rarity of this item is in the incredible number of matching pieces, it makes no sense to sell single chairs. You may order other single chairs of this type via other listings on our store. We prefer to sell this model only in a matching sets. If you place an order, please be sure to select the full quantity. You will be expected to purchase the full set.
Retail: $600-800/chair
Look around! our competition right here on line will charge you 30% more! and they don't have leather!
FOR THE VERY BEST IN QUALITY PAINTED FURNITURE AND VINTAGE INTERIOR DESIGN, VISIT OUR STORE KITSCH-N-KABOODLE
FOR ALL TELEPHONE INQUIRIES DURING THE HOURS OF noon-8PM EST, CALL 267-970-5221, or FURNITURE@KITSCH-N-KABOODLE.COM. THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST!
SEATS: are included as shown, in original red leather. These are high quality, clean and may be used as-is. Or you may order seats recovered in your fabric prior to shipping. Cost for recovering seats is $35 (your fabric) or $45 (our fabric). Here is an example of chairs with our recovered seats and stock fabric:
Our standard default seat covers are a stock velor we carry in navy blue or burgundy, as shown at left.
ARMCHAIRS: although we were not provided any armchairs when we originally acquired the Rhode Island chairs, we have employed the local woodcarver and cabinetmaker, an old-time craftsman of the highest caliber and a real rare specialist, to custom-craft armchairs for us. We have so far completed two pairs (4x chairs) this way to great success and customer satisfaction. Here is an example of chairs with the custom hand-carved arms, finished in matching solid mahogany:
Cost and availability may fluctuate, so it's best to check with us first to get an estimate and ensure we will be able to fill your order.
Design and construction details:
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Thumb-moulded detail to the legs and seat-rail, a sign of high-end manufacture and precision of authenticity. These carved edge details on the corners and around the seat are accents found on the better Chippendale chairs made 200 years ago:
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Matching details to the rungs beneath:
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Carved backs are shaped all the way around, very elegant and fluid. New repros are so square compared to this! Note how the shape curves all the way around the back of the crestrail:
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Despite the overconstruction and solid build, the crestrail is thin and delicately executed, the overall back tapering toward the top:
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Pierce-carved splats, with scrolled detail. Note the fine striped grain, and the tiny variations in carving between each side on the little scroll terminals. This indicates custom carving by hand, with no machines, and in turn makes for a more realistic and authentic look:
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No veneer over plywood, as is the norm with chairs of this kind. These are all solid wood, even the backsplats, as you can see if you look carefully at the grain on the inside edges of the design. Note how thick the mahogany is, and the way the holes and edges are chamfered, shaped to create greater depth and a more fluid organic form:
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All mahogany, no secondary woods, as you can see from these shots of the underside and close-ups of graining. All carving, rungs, legs, seatrail, everything- you can see the mahogany grain on the undersides and from behind these members, and within the carved accents. The light oxidation underneath, making the barewood backs slightly dark or gray, indicates age. So does the metal foot caps. Modern issue of these chairs use plastic gliders under feet. Phillips-head screws beneath, however, place manufacture after 1960:
History and Provenance: These chairs were originally custom ordered and used in the executive ballroom of the formal penthouse restaurant of the Strawbridges Dept store here in Philadelphia. A few of them still have remnants of original manufacture and purchase labels, union labels, and in some cases even owner's labels from the store, under the seats. A couple of these labels have partial insignias with the Hickory Company lettering, and others have remnants that read "Sold to Strawbridges Dept. Store..." etc. When the store closed, gone were the days of the Corinthian Room, the large classical Greek Revival diningroom these are original to, and we bought them out. Although they were used in a restaurant, they are identical in style, material, and quality to the best chairs made for residential use, and having been intended for heavy use are of better-than-average quality.
The building and business they came from was an important historical landmark to the city and region, having been a pioneer in high-class urban skyscraper shopping. These stores, as they die off, are considered Americana, and part of the American experience, and this link will make your set a great conversation piece, as well as a good investment.
ABOUT CONDITION OF USED FURNITURE: This item displays old/original finish on the exposed wood, and is being sold as-found. As with most vintage furniture of this type, it does have your typical minor blemishes that come with age and usage. The wood is generally well-cared for, excellent condition, but not perfect. Please keep in mind that this is USED furniture, it is old, and this should be expected. It is part of the item's patina and history. There are no major structural defects to the wood, and it does not need any structural repair. It is sturdy and will not require repair. It is structurally intact, with no broken parts or joints. Needs no other repair or preparation prior to use and display in the home.
ITEM-SPECIFIC CONDITION REMARKS: Chair-Check is included with your purchase, for 100% stability, structurally sturdy. A professional will go over and 'detail' each and every detail, checking for loose joints, rebuilding anything necessary as needed, cleaning, and thoroughly polishing all surfaces. Details available for each order by request.
DIMENSIONS: each 37 5/8" high at the back, 21" deep overall, 20 1/4" wide; seat height standard 18 1/2" and depth about 17" .
SHIPPING and DELIVERY OPTIONS:
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IF YOU LIVE WITHIN 3 HOURS DRIVE FROM PHILADELPHIA OR NORTH JERSEY AND YOUR ITEM IS LARGE:
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LOCAL DELIVERY via courier is $1.65/mile.
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Local deliveries (within 50 miles) are $65 flat-rate per van-load.
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FOR LARGE ITEMS AND MULTIPLE-ITEM PURCHASES ONLY.
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IF YOU LIVE MORE THAN 3 HOURS AWAY:
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Cheap ship via Freight Services within the 48 states,
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home delivery is included, where available.
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SHIPPING DISCOUNTS via combined packaging are available only if your second item can be safely packed into the same size box.
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Foreign & overseas orders welcomed:
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e-mail for shipping quote.
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Canada orders go freight or FedEx.
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Elsewhere is FedEx or Ocean-freight.
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CUSTOMER PICK-UP or CUSTOMER ORDERED 3RD PARTY SHIPPERS are welcome:
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FREE OF CHARGE if picked up within 30 days of purchase and paid on time
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Should be picked up from the current location of the item, noted on the listing.
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Paid items not claimed after 30 days may be charged storage.
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PACKAGING AND SPECIALTY CRATING:
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is for large shipped items only, not for courier or customer-pick-up items, not used for items smaller than a breadbox/microwave.
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SAF-PAK crating system is mandatory for this item due to its size.
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SAF-PAK will cover the item's purchase price plus transit charges in full in the unlikely event of damage or loss.
Where else can you get 14x matching Chippendale chairs??
... only at KITSCH-N-KABOODLE!!
