Splat Back
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 4 BIGGS Solid Mahogany Splat Back Duncan Phyfe Chairs $799.99 Time Remaining: 7d 10h 40m Buy It Now for only: $799.99 |
 New Drexel Heritage Spencer Splat Back Portrait Arm Chair Nailhead Carved Wood $355.00 Time Remaining: 4d 16h 15m |
 Ethan Allen American Dimensions Splatback Chairs 6301 Spruce finish 648 $599.99 Time Remaining: 29d 16h 1m Buy It Now for only: $599.99 |
 BERNHARDT Asian Style Splat Back Arm Chair $249.99 Time Remaining: 7d 15h 35m Buy It Now for only: $249.99 |
 Copenhagen Espresso Finish Simple Splat Back Chair Pair $155.29 Time Remaining: 5d 10h 6m Buy It Now for only: $155.29 |
 Set of 8 Mahogany Splat Back Dining Side Chairs 140B $1,299.00 Time Remaining: 22d 5h 40m Buy It Now for only: $1,299.00 |
 PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE Duncan Phyfe Splat Back Dining Side Chair $224.99 Time Remaining: 28d 5h 46m Buy It Now for only: $224.99 |
 Distressed Black Open Splat Back Dining Arm Chair $400.99 Time Remaining: 8d 6h 40m Buy It Now for only: $400.99 |
 Pair Mahogany Pierced Splat Back Queen Anne Side Chairs $572.68 Time Remaining: 7d 5h 31m Buy It Now for only: $572.68 |
 Set of 8 Mahogany Splat Back Dining Side Chairs 140A $1,299.00 Time Remaining: 22d 5h 46m Buy It Now for only: $1,299.00 |
 Rochelle Splat Back Side Chair in Distressed Antiqued Crimson Set of 2 $638.00 Time Remaining: 5d 19h 4m Buy It Now for only: $638.00 |
 Ethan Allen Country French Splatback Arm Chair 6302A Antiqued Fruitwood 236 $399.99 Time Remaining: 18d 15h 16m Buy It Now for only: $399.99 |
 2Ashley Key Town Splatback Side Chair D668 01 $346.00 Time Remaining: 11d 14h 49m Buy It Now for only: $346.00 |
 Ethan Allen Medallion Ivory White Splatback Arm Chair 25 6400 $299.99 Time Remaining: 20d 15h 10m Buy It Now for only: $299.99 |
 Cherry Pierced Splat Back Dining Side Chair $539.99 Time Remaining: 20d 6h 43m Buy It Now for only: $539.99 |
 Royal Traditions Splat Back Arm Chair in Distressed Chestnut Set of 2 $318.00 Time Remaining: 18d 19h 27m Buy It Now for only: $318.00 |
 Evolution Pierced Splat Back Arm Chair in Rich Auburn Set of 2 9180 341 KD $638.00 Time Remaining: 11d 19h 47m Buy It Now for only: $638.00 |
 Distressed Black Open Splat Back Dining Side Chair $343.99 Time Remaining: 8d 6h 11m Buy It Now for only: $343.99 |
 Evolution Pierced Splat Back Side Chair in Rich Auburn Set of 2 9180 340 KD $315.98 Time Remaining: 18d 1h 24m Buy It Now for only: $315.98 |
 Set 8 Mahogany Finish Splat Back Dining Side Chairs SOLD AS IS 140B $699.99 Time Remaining: 4d 16h 30m Buy It Now for only: $1,299.99 |
 2Ashley Key Town Splatback Arm Chair D668 01A $390.00 Time Remaining: 11d 14h 48m Buy It Now for only: $390.00 |
 Cherry Solid Splat Back Dining Arm Chair $597.99 Time Remaining: 13d 10h 53m Buy It Now for only: $597.99 |
 Cherry Pierced Splat Back Dining Arm Chair $597.99 Time Remaining: 20d 7h 7m Buy It Now for only: $597.99 |
 Pair 2 Rosewood Upholstered Splat Back Dining Arm Chairs 2 $1,124.99 Time Remaining: 12d 6h 6m Buy It Now for only: $1,124.99 |
 Pair Mahogany Pierced Splat Back Queen Anne Arm Chairs $765.27 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 15m Buy It Now for only: $765.27 |
 Pair 2 Mahogany Pierced Splat Back Dining Arm Chairs $745.00 Time Remaining: 7d 6h 58m Buy It Now for only: $745.00 |
 Set 8 Walnut Splat Back Floral Dining Side Chairs 140D $1,799.00 Time Remaining: 22d 6h 17m Buy It Now for only: $1,799.00 |
 Royal Traditions Splat Back Side Chair in Distressed Chestnut Set of 2 $278.00 Time Remaining: 18d 19h 21m Buy It Now for only: $278.00 |
 Rochelle Splat Back Arm Chair in Antiqued Crimson Set of 2 9250 241 KD $718.00 Time Remaining: 11d 45m Buy It Now for only: $718.00 |
 American Traditions Splat Back Arm Chair in Distressed Rich Cordovan Mahogany $798.00 Time Remaining: 15d 14h 25m Buy It Now for only: $798.00 |
 Cherry Solid Splat Back Dining Side Chair $539.99 Time Remaining: 13d 10h 30m Buy It Now for only: $539.99 |
 Set 8 Walnut Splat Back Floral Dining Side Chairs 140E $1,799.00 Time Remaining: 22d 6h 22m Buy It Now for only: $1,799.00 |
 Pair 2 Rosewood Upholstered Splat Back Dining Chairs 2 $1,008.99 Time Remaining: 12d 6h 5m Buy It Now for only: $1,008.99 |
 American Traditions Splat Back Side Chair in Distressed Rich Cordovan Mahogany $638.00 Time Remaining: 5d 20h 18m Buy It Now for only: $638.00 |
 Pair 2 Mahogany Pierced Splat Back Dining Side Chairs $991.19 Time Remaining: 7d 6h 38m Buy It Now for only: $991.19 |
 ENGLISH Tenby Splat Back Side CHAIR Distressed Paints Old World Wood Stains NEW $619.99 Time Remaining: 18d 10h 21m Buy It Now for only: $619.99 |
 Tenby Splat Back English Arm CHAIR 25 Distressed Paints Old World Wood Stains $699.99 Time Remaining: 18d 12h 27m Buy It Now for only: $699.99 |
 Set 8 Walnut Finish Splat Back Floral Dining Side Chairs SOLD AS IS 140D $749.99 Time Remaining: 5d 7h 5m Buy It Now for only: $1,799.99 |
 LibertyFurniture Messina Estates II Splat Back Side Chair in Antique Ivory $329.00 Time Remaining: 15d 17h 21m Buy It Now for only: $329.00 |
 LibertyFurniture Messina Estates Splat Back Arm Chair in Cognac 737 C2501A $349.00 Time Remaining: 15d 17h 34m Buy It Now for only: $349.00 |
 LibertyFurniture Messina Estates Splat Back Side Chair in Cognac 737 C2501S $329.00 Time Remaining: 16d 19h 19m Buy It Now for only: $329.00 |
 Hooker Furniture Sanctuary Splat Back Arm Chair in Dune 3002 75400 $482.00 Time Remaining: 17d 20h 24m Buy It Now for only: $482.00 |
 Hooker Furniture Sanctuary Splat Back Side Chair in Dune 3002 75410 $433.00 Time Remaining: 15d 16h 43m Buy It Now for only: $433.00 |
 LibertyFurniture Messina Estates II Splat Back Arm Chair in Antique Ivory $349.00 Time Remaining: 15d 17h 58m Buy It Now for only: $349.00 |
 Cochrane Threshers Too Splat Back Side Chair Set of 2 Set of 2 85 262 $510.00 Time Remaining: 9d 17h 19m Buy It Now for only: $510.00 |
 Broyhill Color Cuisine Fan Splat Back Side Chair in Cherry Set of 4 Set of 4 $811.96 Time Remaining: 18d 22h 42m Buy It Now for only: $811.96 |
 Color Cuisine Fan Splat Back Side Chair in Terra Cotta Set of 4 Set of 4 $779.96 Time Remaining: 18d 22h 38m Buy It Now for only: $779.96 |
 Color Cuisine Fan Splat Back Side Chair in Buttermilk Set of 4 Set of 4 $811.96 Time Remaining: 18d 22h 53m Buy It Now for only: $811.96 |
 Broyhill Color Cuisine Fan Splat Back Side Chair in Autumn Set of 4 Set of 4 $811.96 Time Remaining: 18d 22h 54m Buy It Now for only: $811.96 |
 Color Cuisine Fan Splat Back Side Chair in Sky Blue Set of 4 Set of 4 $779.96 Time Remaining: 18d 22h 55m Buy It Now for only: $779.96 |
 Broyhill Color Cuisine Fan Splat Back Side Chair in Canary Set of 4 Set of 4 $811.96 Time Remaining: 18d 22h 58m Buy It Now for only: $811.96 |
 Broyhill Color Cuisine Fan Splat Back Side Chair in Honey Set of 4 Set of 4 $811.96 Time Remaining: 18d 23h 2m Buy It Now for only: $811.96 |
 Broyhill Color Cuisine Fan Splat Back Side Chair in Ebony Set of 4 Set of 4 $796.00 Time Remaining: 19d 5h 19m Buy It Now for only: $796.00 |
 Threshers Too Splat Back Side Chair in Distressed Antique Oak Set of 2 $1,004.38 Time Remaining: 19d 2h 17m Buy It Now for only: $1,004.38 |
How to Spot Genuine Antique Dining Chairs
When investing in antique dining chairs, spotting the genuine antique from a fake is not always straightforward. Period 18th century antique dining chairs have been revived many times during the Victorian era, and all through the 20th century, so at best these pieces can be referred to as revivals or even reproductions rather than fakes.
The cost of 18th century antique dining chairs can be prohibitively expensive anyway, so for those of us on a more modest budget, revival and reproduction would be the way to go. However, being able to identify certain designers and styles, and perhaps a handmade original piece from a machine made revival, is quite useful. Although not all antique dining chairs follow the styling of Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton, many do, so having a working knowledge of what these chairs may look like is also a good place to start.
As Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton were furniture designers rather than makers, it will be difficult if not impossible to find a piece of 18th century furniture that can be attributed to one of these designers. However, understanding what a chair by one of these makers may look like and knowing the difference between a period Chippendale chair and a Victorian Chippendale revival will help. The difference in age between these two is around 100 years. Both will have the characteristic bow shaped top rail and the pierced and highly carved splat and cabriole leg. However, the earlier period chair will have been handmade and the carving more free flowing, whereas the splat of the Victorian revival piece will be more stylised where it is machine carved rather than handmade. Often period examples will have acanthus carvings on the knees of the cabriole leg where the legs on revival chairs will be plainer.
Neo classical design was also revived during the Victorian and Edwardian eras and throughout the 20th century. The designs of Hepplewhite and Sheraton tended to be much simpler than those of Chippendale, although there are plainer period and revival versions of Chippendale antique dining chairs, around. Hepplewhite's designs followed more in the style of Robert Adam and the backs of his chairs were often oval or shield shaped and legs tapered rather than cabriole. Sheraton's designs were rectilinear with plain styling and square backs and turned tapered legs. His designs were revived heavily during the Edwardian period and because of their plain styling, remain very popular today.
During the Victorian era, many much earlier styles of chair were also revived and mass production was able to produce many pastiches, such as Jacobethan and Victorian Gothic which are essentially copied from different elements of period detail. However, there were many very fine faithful reproductions of 18th century originals made during this period and these later pieces tend to hold their value well.
Spotting a genuine antique dining chair is therefore not an exact science and you should go and see a reputable antique dealer before handing out large amounts of cash. When looking for antique dining chairs in Lancashire, local dealers will be able to advise you on age, style, quality and investment potential.
About the Author
Christian Davies is a second generation antiques dealer and owner of Christian Davies Antiques, a family based antiques business based in Preston, Lancashire. Christian has over 23 years experience in the antiques business and has a passion for genuine, high quality antiques furniture, such as antique dining chairs, which he sources from the UK and Europe.
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