Pair of Fine Quality Walnut Antique Victorian John Jelliff Armchairs

Description

This is a gorgeous pair of John Jelliff figural carved walnut Renaissance Revival parlor or armchairs. The chairs are in … more This is a gorgeous pair of John Jelliff figural carved walnut Renaissance Revival parlor or armchairs. The chairs are in good condition and feature exceptionally carved Jenny Lind faces which we very popular when these chairs were made during the 1860-70s era. They wear their original finish and have older but still usable upholstery. They are in good condition for their age and can be reupholstered if desired.

Dimensions: 41.5 inches high x 28 inches wide x 26.5 inches deep.

Born in Norwalk, Connecticut. Son of Hezekiah Jelliff and Nancy Bennett. John Jelliff apprenticed to Alonzo W. Anderson, a cabinetmaker in New York City in 1828, and moved to New Jersey in the early 1820s. He first worked for Lemuel M. Crane of Newark, and took over the Crane business in 1838. Jelliff then partnered with Thomas L. Vantilburg through 1843. In 1854, Jelliff partnered with Henry H. Miller, who served as his foreman. By the late 1850s Jelliff's work reflected the Italian renaissance style; he later found inspiration in the designs of John Henry Belter.[4]

By 1874, the Jelliff factory had 40,000 square feet (3,700 m2) of floor space, employed 45 men and did annual sales of $100,000 (equivalent to $2.7 million in 2023), catering to the needs of the leading families in Newark. Jelliff retired in 1890. In spite of the industrialization of his time, Jelliff refused to produce machine-made furniture. The company produced rosewood, walnut and mahogany furniture with the occasional use of a fruitwood or maple as inlay. less