This rare 18th century painted oak and stenciled New England ladderback chair features a heavily defined lower stretcher, graceful arms terminating in round knobs, and three slats in the back with turned finial posts ending in urn and ball tops. The rush seat is in very good condition considering its age with only minimal loss but nothing that impedes use. Country furniture like this is an important area of early American decorative arts and this is an exceptionally good piece since it retains the original finish with red stenciling. Note the grain of the oak showing through on arms where many generations have made use of this chair.