Side Chair "Map"

1 Slat Side Chair "Map". Red Oak.  28.25"H x 18.5"W x 15"D

* This rendition is the 189th copy of this pattern.  At the conclusion of the show the frame will be finished and a rattan reed bottom installed. The chair stick will accompany the chair to its new owner.

In traditional Appalachian post & rung chairmaking, the chair stick is the map followed for successful reproduction of a certain style of chair.  Once a chairmaker settled on the design, proportions and dimensions for a chair, a pattern stick was generated to guide the way in making the next one.  All of the information was marked on the pattern stick.  The length of the posts with tapers, finials and tenons was noted.  The quantity and lengths of rungs and slats were set.  All dimensions were measured from the floor showing the intersection of the rungs and location of the slats.  The chairmaker could then transfer these parameters onto the wood and assemble the desired chair.The chair exhibited is a one slat side chair from red oak.  A veneer quality log was chosen and rendered into useful billets with a froe and mallet.  All of the parts were shaped on the shaving horse with drawknife and spokeshave.  A brace, four bits, two chisels, a saw and a hand knife were employed to render them for assembly.  The chair frame is put together, without glue, screws or nails.  This frame is ready for trimming and a seat bottom put in.  Note the grain orientation marks on the top of the posts.  The chair was assembled as it came from the tree for strength and utility.