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Slat Back Side Chair

Maker William Hann

Period1850 - 1880

MediumMaple, and ash

Dimensions33.8 × 15.8 × 15.25 in. (85.9 × 40.1 × 38.7 cm)

SignedStenciled on the reverse of the middle slat, "WM. HANN / MAKER."

ClassificationsSeating Furniture

Credit LineMuseum Purchase, 1978

Object number1978.1

DescriptionThree graduated slats form the back of this side chair. The rear posts, which flare slightly above the seat, are flattened on the front surface to create what is called "rabbit ears." The front legs have a reel turning below the seat, with a similar turning in the center of the front stretcher. Five other stretchers are simply dowel turned. The feet on all four legs taper. The original dark finish was ornamented with elaborate stenciled and free hand decoration utilizing bronze powder, which was then varnished. The woven rush seat appears to be original.
Curatorial RemarksThis slat back side chair remains in remarkable original condition. It shows very little wear, especially on the proliferation of stenciled and free hand decoration. After the application of the bronze powder designs, the chair was given a coat of natural varnish, which has darkened considerably. When new, the decoration would have appeared much brighter, almost like an application of gold leaf.NotesWilliam D. Hann was born in Hunterdon County in 1823. He learned the chairmaking trade from Benjamin Horne near Sergeantsville, then worked for John Volk in Flemington for a few years before opening his own shop near Sergeantsville. The 1860, 1870 and 1880 census schedules list him as a chairmaker or painter in Delaware Township, which included the village of Sergeantsville. Hann combined house painting and paper hanging with chairmaking, as did many other rural craftsmen. He was also one of the very few rush bottom, slat back chairmakers of his day to mark his work, in this case with a stencil on the rear of the center slat. Toward the end of his life, William Hann returned to Flemington, where he died in 1905 at the age of eighty-two.

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