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Sheraton Chair, Hander Woodworking
This is an original, circa 1810, Federal Period, Sheraton style, mahogany chair with ivory inlay that was brought into Hander Woodworking for conservation.  The chair was an exceptional piece of furniture with extremely fine quality craftsmanship.  The chair had very delicate ivory inlay on the arms, top back rail, front rail and front legs, and also tracing the lower rail of the chair back as well as on the back's delicate weaving.  The visible ivory rectangles on each leg are actually the outside lines of double boxes, one set inside of the other.  Unfortunately, the resolution of this image simply does not allow for the visibility of the smaller inlays.  Despite its delicate appearance it is a remarkably stout chair.  When Hander Woodworking received the chair, the back top rail and upper leg  posts were severely damaged with broken and missing wood.
Sheraton Chair, Hander Woodworking
Damaged top rail.
Sheraton Chair, Hander Woodworking
Close-up of damaged chair top and previous repairs.
Sheraton Chair, Hander Woodworking
Sheraton Chair, Hander Woodworking
The broken areas were cut out and prepared for new mahogany.  The new pieces were glued in and later shaped.  Ivory from old piano keys was sanded thinner and inlayed into the wood.  The finish on the new wood was ultimately matched to the old and blended in to make the repairs virtually invisible.  The owners ended up taking home an exquisite piece of history. In Judith & Martin Miller's excellent book, The Antiques Directory Furniture, copyright 1995, the approximate appraisal values for similar period chairs ranged between $5,000 - $10,000.