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Lot Essay
Understated and refined, these chairs exhibit the fully developed interpretation of the Classical Revival style of the early nineteenth century. Illustrating the final phase of Classicism, the Grecian Plain style, they display a more restrained and sleek design than earlier more intricately designed pieces. Attributed to Duncan Phyfe, the pair displays well-proportioned Grecian Scrolls on the arms and legs. The chairs also have slightly convex discs attached to the circular points of the scrolls on both the arms and legs. A hallmark of Phyfe, these discs were likely derived from the winged discs used in Egyptian symbolism and the powerful coved cornices on their temples (Peter M. Kenny and Michael K. Brown, Duncan Phyfe: Master Cabinetmaker in New York (New Haven, 2011), p. 95).
These chairs were first owned by Stephen Van Rensselaer III (1764-1839) who was a prominent New York soldier, Federalist politician and businessman. After graduation from Harvard University he took control of his family’s manor, Rensselaerwyck, near Albany, making him the largest landowner in New York. As a dedicated supporter of the economic development of his state, Stephen III served in both the New York Assembly and State Senate. He was also Lieutenant-Governor from 1795-1801 and served in the United States House of Representatives. Appointed Major General in the state militia in the 1780s, he was later decorated as commander of American troops in the War of 1812. A staunch supporter of education, he was a Regent of the University of the State of New York and founder of the Rensselaer Polytechnic University.
Stephen III married Margaret Schuyler and they moved into the newly rebuilt family Manor house in 1785. He lived there until his death in 1839 when his son Stephen Van Rensselaer IV inherited the property. Both Stephen III and Stephen IV were patrons of Duncan Phyfe and remnants of invoices from Phyfe remain in the Van Rensselaer family papers (Kenny and Brown, op. cit., pp. 140-142). One of these chairs or a very similar example appears in a late 19th century photograph of the dining room in the Van Rensselaer manor (fig. 1).
A nearly identical pair that lacks the carved scroll above each foot was sold at Christie’s, New York, 25 September 2013, lot 115. This pair also descended from Stephen Van Rensselaer III and IV and was in the collection of the Westervelt Company.
These chairs were first owned by Stephen Van Rensselaer III (1764-1839) who was a prominent New York soldier, Federalist politician and businessman. After graduation from Harvard University he took control of his family’s manor, Rensselaerwyck, near Albany, making him the largest landowner in New York. As a dedicated supporter of the economic development of his state, Stephen III served in both the New York Assembly and State Senate. He was also Lieutenant-Governor from 1795-1801 and served in the United States House of Representatives. Appointed Major General in the state militia in the 1780s, he was later decorated as commander of American troops in the War of 1812. A staunch supporter of education, he was a Regent of the University of the State of New York and founder of the Rensselaer Polytechnic University.
Stephen III married Margaret Schuyler and they moved into the newly rebuilt family Manor house in 1785. He lived there until his death in 1839 when his son Stephen Van Rensselaer IV inherited the property. Both Stephen III and Stephen IV were patrons of Duncan Phyfe and remnants of invoices from Phyfe remain in the Van Rensselaer family papers (Kenny and Brown, op. cit., pp. 140-142). One of these chairs or a very similar example appears in a late 19th century photograph of the dining room in the Van Rensselaer manor (fig. 1).
A nearly identical pair that lacks the carved scroll above each foot was sold at Christie’s, New York, 25 September 2013, lot 115. This pair also descended from Stephen Van Rensselaer III and IV and was in the collection of the Westervelt Company.