Dear Helaine and Joe: We have two Brewster- and Carver-type chairs that were acquired from a New England family a number of years ago. We are enclosing a page from an auction catalog that shows a chair similar to ours. We will appreciate any information you are able to provide.
Thank you, — R.R.R., The Villages, Fla.
Dear R.R.R.: The term "Brewster" and "Carver" chairs are just names with rather vague meanings to many of today's collectors, because they refer to types of furniture that were first made in America during the "Pilgrim Century."
These pieces are so rare that few come up for sale over the period of a decade.
Brewster and Carver chairs are rush-seated with high-post backs that terminate in finials above the top rail. The Brewster chair, which derives its name from Pilgrim colonist William Brewster (1567-1644), typically has turned spindles on the back, sides and between the seat rail and the stretcher that runs across the front under the seat.
The Carver chair, named after John Carver, the first governor of the Plymouth Colony (circa 1576 -1621), was very similar. But its construction tended to be a bit simpler and the decoration was often limited to the turnings on the posts and three vertical spindles that were supported between two posts located just below the chair back's top rail. It should also be noted that a "carver" chair (lower-case "c") refers to an armchair placed at the head of the dining table that was intended for the host whose job it was to carve the meat.
Both Brewster and Carver chairs are often referred to as "great" chairs because of their size, which could be somewhat larger than the few other chairs in the house. The armchair and side chair belonging to R.R.R. closely resemble the Carver chairs of the late 17th century. But, unfortunately, they are not of that period.
These chairs are from the early 19th century, and this dating is most apparent in the turnings, which are not as strong and bold as they would have been in 17th-century examples. The posts of these chairs have a very straight-up-and-down look and the turnings hardly interrupt the very linear lines. In period examples, the turnings would have given shape to the posts and attractively broken up their rod-like look.
In addition, the acorn finials on the top of the side posts are very refined, even dainty, and are not at all what would have been found on Pilgrim Century pieces. In short, these two chairs lack the zest of earlier pieces, and while the various components may look similar to ones that might have occurred on a 17th-century American "Carver" chair, they are really quite different.
It is also a shame that these chairs have been stripped and refinished. Originally, they probably had a painted surface, but that is now long gone, and a shiny "slick-as-a-ribbon" finish that many purist collectors find disconcerting has been left behind.
These are still very nice 19th-century "Carver"-type chairs, and for insurance purposes, they should be valued in the range of $2,000 to $2,500.
Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson are the authors of the "Price It Yourself" (HarperResource, $19.95). Questions can by mailed to them at P.O. Box 12208, Knoxville, TN 37912-0208.