This six-stick comb-back chair with a narrow comb is the chair I built for the first issue of The Stick Chair Journal. I spent about a year gradually changing details on my chairs to arrive at this design, which features a four-piece arm with mitered arms.
This chair, which is built using Pennsylvania black cherry, is set up for dining or relaxing. The back leans 17° off the seat, and the seat is tilted 5°, so the back is a generous 22° off the floor. The seat is 17” above the floor, which is a good height for most sitters. Overall, the chair is 39” tall, 28” wide, 23” deep and weighs 16-1/2 pounds.
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The hands of the chair feature through-tenons that have been shaped pyramidal. The stretchers also use through-tenons, which add strength to the chair’s undercarriage. Also worth noting: The shoe is attached with both glue and two blacksmith-made roseheads – a tip of the hat to the iron hardware that sometimes holds together old examples of vernacular chairs.
Like all of my chairs, this one shows texture and evidence of the tools used to make it. There are subtle rasp marks in places. All the angles of the chair’s legs, stretchers and sticks are sighted by eye and without jigs. So there are small variations – some might say imperfections. I’ve never had complaints from customers, but I like to make it clear this is not like a factory-made chair.
The joints are assembled with hide glue and oak wedges, so the joints are strong but can be easily repaired by future generations. The finish is a home-cooked linseed oil/wax finish that has no dangerous solvents. The finish offers low protection, but it is easy to repair by the owner with no special skills or tools.
Purchasing the Chair
This chair is being sold via silent auction. (I’m sorry but the chair cannot be shipped outside the U.S.) If you wish to buy the chair, send an email to [email protected] before 3 p.m. (Eastern) on Thursday, May 26. In the email please use the subject line “Chair Sale” and include your:
- First name and last name
- Bid
- U.S. shipping address
- Daytime phone number (this is for the trucking quote only). You will not receive a phone call or get put on a mailing list. I really dislike that stuff.
Shipping options: You are welcome to pick up the chair here in Covington, Ky., and also pick up a free yardstick and pencil. I am happy to deliver the chair personally for free within 100 miles of Cincinnati, Ohio. Or we can ship it to you via LTL. The cost varies (especially these days), but it is usually between $200 and $300.
— Christopher Schwarz
Source: lostartpress.com