4 Chippendale Monticello Honeymoon Cottage Mahogany Pierced Back Dining Chairs

Description

Set of four Vintage Chippendale style dining side chairs, circa second half 20th century. Made after the set originally found in Jefferson's Honeymoon Cottage in Monticello, Va. If you were to visit Monticello you would now find them in The South Square Family Sitting Room. Made of mahogany featuring a serpentine crest rail, pierced splat back and silk striped / bee upholstered seat and matching down filled lumbar pillows.

"Monticello," Italian for "Little Mountain," is an enduring tribute to the genius and versatility of Thomas Jefferson, who personally designed and supervised erection of the splendid mansion. He resided in it for many years of his long life, his spirit lives on in its architectural perfection and the ingenious devices with which he equipped it, and he is buried nearby. Sitting amid pleasant gardens and lawns on a hilltop, the residence overlooks Charlottesville; the University of Virginia, which Jefferson founded and some of whose buildings he designed; and the green rolling hills of the surrounding countryside. Until his death, at the age of 83 on July 4, 1826, the prominent men of his age made pilgrimages to Monticello. To this day it is visited by the humble, as well as the great—all who admire Jefferson's character and accomplishments.

In 1757 Jefferson's father bequeathed the property, consisting of some 1,053 acres, to him. Eleven years later, while in his early twenties, he began leveling the hilltop, which at the time was considered to be a highly unconventional site for a home, and constructing a road-path system to link all parts of the plantation. In 1770 fire destroyed his modest, nearby residence and birthplace, Shadwell, and he moved to Monticello, where he had already begun building a mansion. The first part of it completed was the small south pavilion (1769-70), which he occupied as a bachelor's quarters until January 1772, when he brought his bride, Martha Wayles Skelton, to share it with him. It is still known as "Honeymoon Cottage.

Condition

Very good vintage condition.

Dimensions

20" x 20" x 38.5", seat 19.5"h; pillows 16" x 16" x 6"