Antique Faux Bamboo Side Chair - A Pair

Details

Description

A stunning and rare pair of late 19th-century American Aesthetic Movement faux bamboo side chairs, circa 1880. Strongly demonstrating the … Read more A stunning and rare pair of late 19th-century American Aesthetic Movement faux bamboo side chairs, circa 1880. Strongly demonstrating the Anglo-Japanese influence of the period, these chairs feature a striking, highly graphic flared fan-back silhouette composed of slender turned spindles. The top rail is beautifully punctuated with a decorative "stick-and-ball" beaded finial array, balanced below by a complex, architectural web of matching faux-bamboo cross-stretchers.
Construction & Joinery Details:
Meticulously turned from a lightweight hardwood (characteristic of beech or regional soft maple) to replicate organic bamboo nodes, the joinery showcases the mechanical precision of top-tier 1880s manufacturing. The horizontal stretchers meet the vertical stiles via tight, machine-drilled mortise-and-tenon joints featuring coped ends that sit completely flush against the rounded vertical poles. Crucially, this pair features an elegant "exposed-post" seat frame architecture where the front legs punch straight through the top of the seat rails.
Finish & Patina:
The frames retain an exceptional, historic dark ebonized wash overcoat that displays a beautiful age patina with superficial wear on the raised bamboo rings. Tucked deeply into the tight crevices where the spindles meet the cross rails are remnants of a brilliant original gold/gilt lacquer finish, proving these chairs were originally designed to shimmer and catch the light in a grand 19th-century ballroom or parlor.
Possible Attribution:
While unsigned, the high-quality machine turning, unique stick-and-ball fan configuration, and exposed-post geometry strongly align this pair with the premium catalog offerings of major New York and New England makers of the 1880s, including R.J. Horner & Co., Kimbel & Cabus, or Heywood Brothers & Wakefield Company.
Upholstery:
The chairs have been newly and professionally recovered in a sophisticated, subtle light blue/grey paisley fabric. The upholstery was masterfully cut and tailored around the corner posts to preserve the original 19th-century structural integrity. Lightweight, sturdy, and structurally sound, this historic pair is ready to serve as instant accent or desk seating. The recent professional upholstery work is equally flawless from the back, cleanly meeting the rear stiles for a seamless, 360-degree display.
*Note: the back of one chair is about 1/4" to 1/2" shorter than the other. See less