Ladderback Side
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 Vintage Rush Seat Ladderback Side Chair $99.99 Time Remaining: 22d 13h 17m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
 DINING SIDE CHAIRS LADDER BACK UPHOLSTERED SEATS BY FAULD FROM ALYSON JON 4 $235.00 Time Remaining: 1d 3h 2m Buy It Now for only: $265.00 |
 ETHAN ALLEN Country French Ladderback Side Chair 26 6310 270 Bisque Finish $274.99 Time Remaining: 8d 4h 31m Buy It Now for only: $274.99 |
 Antique ladderback Style Solid Oak Side Chair at such a great price $99.09 Time Remaining: 15d 2h 14m Buy It Now for only: $99.09 |
 2 Ethan Allen Black Tango Ladderback Side Chairs 6511 $549.99 Time Remaining: 25d 10h 21m Buy It Now for only: $549.99 |
 Ladder Back Side Chair $262.97 Time Remaining: 17d 20h 54m Buy It Now for only: $262.97 |
 Ethan Allen Black Tango Ladderback Side Chairs 6511 seat height 19 3 4 $549.99 Time Remaining: 26d 9h 41m Buy It Now for only: $549.99 |
 THOMASVILLE East Hampton Ladderback Side Chair $249.99 Time Remaining: 8d 1h 43m Buy It Now for only: $249.99 |
 Ladderback Side Chair with a Rush Seat $344.00 Time Remaining: 11d 3h 1m Buy It Now for only: $344.00 |
 2 Oak Ladderback Side Chairs Chair Fabric Seats $159.99 Time Remaining: 10d 1h 47m Buy It Now for only: $159.99 |
 Tell City Chair Company Collection Oak Ladderback Side Chair Sunlit Finish $199.99 Time Remaining: 24d 8h 6m Buy It Now for only: $199.99 |
 Dining Side Char With leather Like Seat and Ladder Back Set of 2 $165.99 Time Remaining: 29d 8h 30m Buy It Now for only: $165.99 |
 French Country Ladderback Arm And Side Dining Chairs $2,399.00 Time Remaining: 20d 8h 15m Buy It Now for only: $2,399.00 |
 Two Ladder Back Side chairs w Pad Seat $118.00 Time Remaining: 20d 7h 5m Buy It Now for only: $118.00 |
 Alston Ladder Back Side Chair Walnut 1105Frame FinishWalnut $95.00 Time Remaining: 24d 21h 7m Buy It Now for only: $95.00 |
 Ethan Allen Tango Ladderback Side Chair 39in x 24in x 2 $150.00 Time Remaining: 28d 9h 50m Buy It Now for only: $150.00 |
 Legacy Classic Furniture Orleans Ladderback Side Chair Set of 2 632 240 KDC $218.00 Time Remaining: 16d 10h 27m Buy It Now for only: $218.00 |
 Cappuccino Finish Ladder Back Dining Side Chair by Coaster 102442 Set of 2 $128.08 Time Remaining: 10d 6h 38m Buy It Now for only: $128.08 |
 Solid Mahogany Ladder Back Gold Occasional Side Chair 233gso $402.50 Time Remaining: 19d 40m Buy It Now for only: $402.50 |
 Solid Mahogany Ladder Back Tan Occasional Side Chair 233Tso $402.50 Time Remaining: 19d 1h 46m Buy It Now for only: $402.50 |
 Steve Silver Furniture Luxor Ladder Back Side Chair in Modern Cherry Set of 2 $272.00 Time Remaining: 12d 15h 25m Buy It Now for only: $272.00 |
 Pair 2 Mahogany Ladder Back Dining Side Chairs wLeather $749.00 Time Remaining: 2d 5h 33m Buy It Now for only: $749.00 |
 Concord Ladder Back Side Chair in Distressed Burnished Black and Cherry $498.00 Time Remaining: 11d 22h 25m Buy It Now for only: $498.00 |
 Dark Walnut Ladderback Side Chair $449.71 Time Remaining: 5d 6h Buy It Now for only: $449.71 |
 4 Vintage ETHAN ALLEN Heirloom Decorated Ladderback Side Chairs w Fiber Seats $716.50 Time Remaining: 3d 2h 20m Buy It Now for only: $795.00 |
 Solid Mahogany High Ladder Back Leather Occasional Side Chair 233side $499.99 Time Remaining: 24d 4h 54m Buy It Now for only: $499.99 |
 Homestead Ladder Back Side Chair in Distressed Cherry Set of 2 9720 140 KD $498.00 Time Remaining: 25d 13h 51m Buy It Now for only: $498.00 |
 Steve Silver Furniture Davenport Ladder Back Side Chair in Tobacco Set of 2 $224.00 Time Remaining: 14d 1h 40m Buy It Now for only: $224.00 |
 Rush seat distressed mahogany french country ladderback dining chair side chair $287.00 Time Remaining: 23d 12h 21m Buy It Now for only: $287.00 |
 Maitland Smith Item 4030 559 Umber Mahogany Ladderback Side Chair $322.20 Time Remaining: 27d 5m Buy It Now for only: $322.20 |
 Pair Solid Mahogany Ladder Back Side Chairs $179.99 Time Remaining: 9d 17m Buy It Now for only: $179.99 |
 Walnut Ladder Back Gold Brocade Side Chairs 2 $598.00 Time Remaining: 26d 7h 3m Buy It Now for only: $598.00 |
 Mastercraft Collections Vintage Ladder Back Side Chair in Sandalwood Set of 2 $436.00 Time Remaining: 11d 12h 8m Buy It Now for only: $436.00 |
 Ladderback Side Chair with a Leather Seat $374.00 Time Remaining: 11d 3h 4m Buy It Now for only: $374.00 |
 Wildon Home Pittsfield Ladder Back Side Chair in Medium Brown Oak Set of 2 $180.00 Time Remaining: 5d 13h 58m Buy It Now for only: $180.00 |
 Walnut Ladder Back Cream Occasional Side Chair ulada $318.00 Time Remaining: 29d 4h 41m Buy It Now for only: $318.00 |
 Ice Ladder Back Side Chair in Multi Step Dark Rich Cherry Set of 2 EC600S $268.00 Time Remaining: 5d 57m Buy It Now for only: $268.00 |
 Mahogany Ladder Back Gold Dining Side Chairs 2 $700.00 Time Remaining: 15d 59m Buy It Now for only: $700.00 |
 Pair of 2 Teak Mission Ladder Back Side Chairs 2 tkch002nt $605.00 Time Remaining: 7d 3m Buy It Now for only: $605.00 |
 Dark Cherry Contemporary Ladder Back Dining Side Chair $400.99 Time Remaining: 13d 23h 55m Buy It Now for only: $400.99 |
 Set of 6 Solid Teak Mission Style Ladder Back Side Chairs 6 tkch002nt $1,650.00 Time Remaining: 7d 14m Buy It Now for only: $1,650.00 |
 Pair 2 Mahogany Ladder Back Leather Dining Side Chairs $809.00 Time Remaining: 10d 3h 34m Buy It Now for only: $809.00 |
 Mahogany Ladder Back Tan Dining Side Chairs 2 $700.00 Time Remaining: 14d 23h 29m Buy It Now for only: $700.00 |
 Latitude Ladder Back Side Chair in Distressed Natural Pine Set of 2 $218.00 Time Remaining: 17d 13h 49m Buy It Now for only: $218.00 |
 Concord Ladder Back Side Chair in Distressed Burnished White and Cherry $498.00 Time Remaining: 26d 12h 15m Buy It Now for only: $498.00 |
 Walnut Ladder Back Cream Occasional Side Chair uladb $318.00 Time Remaining: 29d 4h 57m Buy It Now for only: $318.00 |
 Livingston Ladder Back Side Chair With Microfiber Cushion Set of 2 6533 12S $198.00 Time Remaining: 14d 23h 45m Buy It Now for only: $198.00 |
 Solid Wood Tall back Ladder Back Occasional Accent Side Chair ulada $249.99 Time Remaining: 4d 3h 34m Buy It Now for only: $318.99 |
 Pair Solid Mahogany Side Chairs Ladder Back $179.99 Time Remaining: 9d 17m Buy It Now for only: $179.99 |
 Hooker Furniture Summerglen Ladderback Side Chair in White Set of 2 Set of 2 $722.00 Time Remaining: 18d 14h 14m Buy It Now for only: $722.00 |
 International Concepts Madison Park Ladderback Wood Side Chair Set of 2 $216.00 Time Remaining: 15d 10h 24m Buy It Now for only: $216.00 |
 River Street Formal Dining Ladder Back Side Chair in Distressed Burgundy Spice $269.00 Time Remaining: 24d 13h 7m Buy It Now for only: $269.00 |
 Color Cuisine Ladderback Side Chair in Terra Cotta Set of 4 Set of 4 $779.96 Time Remaining: 19d 16h 36m Buy It Now for only: $779.96 |
 International Concepts Madrid Ladderback Wood Side Chairs Black Set of 2 $134.99 Time Remaining: 15d 10h 37m Buy It Now for only: $134.99 |
 Broyhill Color Cuisine Ladderback Side Chair in Canary Set of 4 Set of 4 $811.96 Time Remaining: 19d 9h 6m Buy It Now for only: $811.96 |
 International Concepts Madrid Ladderback Wood Side Chairs Natural Finish Set $135.00 Time Remaining: 10d 3h 22m Buy It Now for only: $135.00 |
 2Pack Oxford Ladderback Dining Side Chair by Coaster $171.32 Time Remaining: 18d 5h 43m Buy It Now for only: $171.32 |
 Hooker Furniture Harbour Pointe Upholstered Ladderback Side Chair 5042 75411 $369.00 Time Remaining: 2d 2h 56m Buy It Now for only: $369.00 |
 Hooker Furniture Vineyard Ladderback Side Chair Set of 2 Set of 2 478 75 310 $722.00 Time Remaining: 18d 14h 14m Buy It Now for only: $722.00 |
 Waverly Place Ladderback Side Chair in Cherry Set of 2 Set of 2 366 75 410 $763.20 Time Remaining: 16d 10h 22m Buy It Now for only: $763.20 |
 2Pack Melbourne Ladder Back Side Chair With Faux Leathe $146.92 Time Remaining: 18d 15h 19m Buy It Now for only: $146.92 |
 2Pack Jonas Ladderback Side Chair by Coaster 102872 $154.64 Time Remaining: 11d 13h 52m Buy It Now for only: $154.64 |
 Jofran Taylor Ladderback Side Chair in Cherry 342 912KD $219.99 Time Remaining: 14d 22h 39m Buy It Now for only: $219.99 |
 Broyhill Color Cuisine Ladderback Side Chair in Ebony Set of 4 Set of 4 $811.96 Time Remaining: 19d 16h 35m Buy It Now for only: $811.96 |
 Broyhill Color Cuisine Ladderback Side Chair in Buttermilk Set of 4 Set of 4 $796.00 Time Remaining: 19d 16h 49m Buy It Now for only: $796.00 |
 Broyhill Color Cuisine Ladderback Side Chair in Java Set of 4 Set of 4 $811.96 Time Remaining: 19d 16h 53m Buy It Now for only: $811.96 |
 Broyhill Color Cuisine Ladderback Side Chair in Autumn Set of 4 Set of 4 $811.96 Time Remaining: 19d 23h 13m Buy It Now for only: $811.96 |
 Broyhill Color Cuisine Ladderback Side Chair in Sky Blue Set of 4 Set of 4 $779.96 Time Remaining: 19d 16h 31m Buy It Now for only: $779.96 |
 Imagio Home Scottsdale Ladder Back Side Chair in Spice Set of 2 Set of 2 $279.98 Time Remaining: 16d 10h 19m Buy It Now for only: $279.98 |
 Princeton Ladder Back Side Chair in Black and Walnut Set of 2 Set of 2 $279.98 Time Remaining: 10d 11h 53m Buy It Now for only: $279.98 |
It'S Inevitable: Old Wood Will Shrink
Toronto - Shrinkage is a factor to be reckoned with in all wood construction. In simple terms, shrinkage is the contraction of wood as a result of a loss of moisture. When a tree is freshly cut, it has a high moisture content which is evident by its sappy nature and extreme weight.
Presuming that wood is dried to a point where it is stable prior to its use (and that's not always a safe presumption), should additional problems be expected?
The answer is yes. Wood can be brought to a point of relative stability, but the environment in which it is placed is not stable. Invariably wood will continue to lose moisture from years of being indoors. What is more significant is that wood will continue to change with seasons. Wood will gain or lose moisture according to the moisture content of the air. Summer provides high moisture, while winter means low moisture and contraction. A piece of furniture purchased in a high-moisture area such as London, England and brought to a drier environment such as New York or Toronto often will start to fall apart through contraction.
The degree of shrinkage varies with the age of the piece (how much it has pre-shrunk already), the type of wood, and how it was constructed. There is no mystery to some pieces falling apart.
The move to lower humidity (often centrally heated houses) results in shrinkage. Stress to all the glue lines causes the piece to sometimes come unglued.
The first rule of shrinkage is that all woods shrink across the grain. The second rule is that all wood will continue to shrink to some degree after being employed in furniture construction. The third rule is that all wood will continue to expand and contract with changes in humidity no matter what you do to it (save shrink wrapping it in an air-tight plastic wrapper!).
The last rule, to complicate matters, is that uneven absorption of moisture (one surface absorbing more than the other surface) will result in warpage. This last point is all too frequently illustrated with tabletops. A craftsman will finish the top surface of a table, for example, but rarely the underside. The finish on the top surface inhibits the absorption of moisture (the primary reason for using a finish) forcing greater absorption from the bottom. The consequence is a warped top leaf. This effect is known as cupping. Understanding and observing shrinkage is at the basis of authenticating antique furniture. Without shrinkage, a piece simply cannot be antique. A piece exhibiting shrinkage might not be unique but it must be old. In some cases, a combination of very well-seasoned wood and a stable climate will result in a minimum of shrinkage to a table and no splitting. But you are likely to encounter more split tops than not.
Over the years when I have found harvest tables in barns, deserted houses, and old sheds, I have invariably had problems with shrinkage and splitting when the items are refinished and moved into a heated home or cottage. Tables on pedestal bases are less likely to split because the manner in which they are attached allows greater latitude for the movement of the wood.
There are numerous examples of shrinkage. In an old schoolmaster's desk the cross member shrinks and leaves a shrinkage ridge where it is mortised into the 1eg post. With ladderback chairs the slat will shrink leaving a portion of the empty mortise showing. In addition, the glue holding the chair together will dry and crumble with temperature and moisture change. Everyone has experienced a chair coming apart.
The important thing with shrinkage is the simple principal that it shrinks across the grain. The nailed blanket box will not change because all sides are continuous and they will shrink the same. After a hundred years or so each will have shrunk to approximately the same width. The key to shrinkage in this case will be the bottom of the box. Considering the bottom board is fixed at several points it will either have cracked or pulled away at one side.
So, the next time your newly purchased antique shrinks in the winter, don't blame the dealer - check your heat!
About the Author
Peter Green, Founder of the antique school, Asheford Institute of Antiques, Internationally Syndicated Antique Columnist, Travel Writer and Owner of South Meadow Antiques. For more information of the antique school, click here Asheford Institute Of Antiques Institute Of Antiques.
Cedar Lake Ladderback Log Dining Chair | Log Dining Room | Rustic Dining