John Keith Russell

The chair is perhaps the most recognizable Shaker object. In the mid-nineteenth century, chair production became an important industry of the Mount Lebanon Shaker community and, in 1872, the South Family built a new chair factory, which facilitated increased production and distribution of what would become the best-known Shaker product. Chairs were offered in a selection of styles and materials, and in eight sizes—0 being the smallest, 7 the largest. It is surmised that this Armchair was a special commission from the Mount Lebanon chair factory. In addition to rare use of curly maple, the chair has an unusually high 18-inch seat, (which is a common seat height today). ¶ Tiger maple, old stain and varnish surface. The cotton tape seat is a recent replacement woven in the style of the original Shaker taped seat.