Posted 12 years ago
Elvis439
(1 item)
This Federal armchair is stamped "L BARNES". The dealer was hung up on the stamped name. I researched the design in the back splat. I soon found similar pieces and even pieces sold at auction with the stamped "L BARNES". "L BARNES" was Lewis Barnes (1776-1856), a ship's captain from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. I feel like over the past week, I've been the foremost expert in the U.S. on Lewis Barnes. If you'd like to do research..type into google "Lewis Barnes" "Portsmouth New Hampshire". You'll eventaully find all the similar chairs and other furniture with his stamp that has sold at auction. I'd only be guessing as to the value..but I'm sure it's not to shabby. There is additional writing on the chair that I've been trying to decipher. Looks like a name..Judith R Grant. Tell me what you think.
The dealer was stuck on the name L BARNES as possibly being the chairmakers. If you googled "L BARNES" "chairmaker" or "cabinetmaker"..you wouldn't find anything.
Nice one Elvis439!
Jacobi Ludwig Baarnhielm, father of E.W.Barnes the writer.
Different to the parlor set, but similar as well.
Thank you for sharing this chair!
Thank you vetraio50. That was Lewis Barnes's Swedish name. Apparently he jumped from his uncle's ship around the age of 17 and swam to an American ship, where they took him in. His story is very interesting and this chair is one sweet find and a great addition to our collection!