Wharton Esherick

Wharton Esherick Ash Chair, Signed and Dated 1952

Documentation

Signed

Origin

United States

Period

1950-1979

Materials

ash, leather

Dimensions

W.	18 in;	H.	31 in;	D.	19.5 in;
W.	45.72 cm;	H.	78.74 cm;	D.	49.53 cm;

Condition

Good. Chair stable with normal signs of age and wear. Leather has a few discrete and well-done reinforcements to underside that look to be preventative in nature. Wonderful character throughout.

Creation Date

1952

Description

Beautiful and rare “Ash Chair” by Wharton Esherick (1887-1970), its frame executed in carved and stained ash and finished with a webbed leather seat. While this design is often casually referenced as the Hammer Handle Chair, the Ash Chair was, more precisely, a later iteration of the Hammer Handle Chair which Esherick first created around 1938 by upcycling a cache of hammer handles he had purchased at auction. This example has rich patina to both the wood and the leather and is stable and sturdy with desirable character throughout. Rear stretcher bears artist’s hand-carved initials, 'W.E.' and the date, ‘1952’. Please contact us for additional details or to come and view the chair in person.

Styles / Movements

Mid Century, Modern, Studio Craft

Incollect Reference Number

235769