Side Chair

John Janvier (1749–1801)

Cantwell’s Bridge (Odessa), Delaware, 1795

Mahogany

Gift of Laird Hardcastle Simons Jr.; 2011.11.1

John Janvier advertised that he made chairs, however, this is the only known chair that can confidently lay claim to be his work. According to a copy of a 1795 receipt, the Hardcastle family of Castle Hall plantation, north of Goldsboro, Maryland, purchased twelve chairs from John Janvier. Five of those chairs still exist, including this piece in particular, while several tables and mirrors survived as well. While the location of the original receipt is currently unknown, it was copied and described by several descendants of the Hardcastle family.