Hello, Thank you for taking the time to look at our chair. I bought it for $25.00 at a second hand furniture store about 3 years ago in Philadelphia PA. I don't think it's valuable but am just interested in knowing anything you can tell me about it. The left side arm has been replaced with one similar to the original and it has had an adventurous life. My husband had to do some bracing and reattached the arm and I just finished redoing the seat cushion. The chair is smallish, only 32" tall and 20" wide at the front, 15" wide at the top back. I thought maybe it was a ladies chair, perhaps part of a vanity. The wood appears to be sawn by hand underneath.
You can't see it in these pictures but the side rails are shaped like the front though smaller but also have the shell design.
I've tried in the past to learn a little about pre-modern or period furniture, but haven't been able to sustain much interest. Looking at some of the different neo-classical styles, I'd say this chair is closest to Federal or Sheraton. I'd suggest you try a forum like antiquers.com where you will find more people who specialize in these styles.
@melanie-eccles, I almost hesitate to mention this, but the disproportionately tall aprons (carved shell motif) suggest that your chair may have either started life or has been modified at some point to hold a chamber pot. Further inspection of its um, backside and/or underside may reveal more evidence. Also, I would agree with the American Victorian-era Empire style assignation, though, stylistically, it's a bit of a mishmash (which adds to its charm, IMO).
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