Attributed to Connecticut, late 18th century, including one arm chair and two side chairs, each with boldly shaped and molded crest rail, pierced back splat with stylized central relief carved feather, molded shoe, upholstered slip seat, molded seat rail, square tapered molded front legs, flush stretcher, down-swept rear legs, the armchair with shaped and molded arms and arm supports.

Armchair 38.5 x 24 x 21 in. Side chairs 38.5 x 21 x 18 in., seat height 17.5 in.

From the Collection of the late Dr. Margery Williams Adams and Dr. George Carlisle Adams, Charlotte, North Carolina
Margery and Carlisle Adams were lifelong patrons of the arts in their hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina. They met in Paris where they were both Fulbright Scholars, she studying at the Sorbonne, and he teaching Pediatrics to French physicians.

Margery (1921-2022) grew up in Worcester, MA. She graduated from Smith College, held a Masters and a Ph.D. in Art History from Radcliffe College (now Harvard University), and taught Art History at Radcliffe and Queens College in Charlotte. She inherited from her uncle - Frank Smith, a Worcester attorney - an extraordinary art collection of Italian antiques and works by early 20th century contemporary artists, the core of which has been donated to the Worcester Art Museum and Smith College Museum of Art. Her personal interest in collecting focused on New England furniture and 18th century coin silver spoons. She was instrumental in securing the Delhom Ceramics Collection for the Mint Museum of Art in Charlotte.

Carlisle Adams (1923-1996) graduated from Harvard University and Harvard Medical School and began collecting early American furniture and paintings during his freshman year of college to furnish a spartan dorm room. His eclectic tastes encompassed French fans and paintings, Italian furniture, and Persian rugs, his vast collection now residing at San Diego State University. He was a lifelong opera enthusiast, and he served on the boards of both the Charlotte Opera and the Charlotte Symphony.

Armchair: break, repair and discoloration to left arm at joint; crack at upper stile to right corner; break and repair at both front legs.

Side chairs: one with break and repair at upper stile joint to crest rail; later iron braces to seat frame; other breaks and repairs; fair condition.