Adjustable-Back Chair (no. 2340)

1900-04

Gustave Stickley Company

The United Crafts

The Craftsman Workshops

Listed as “Reclining Chair” with Denim, Tapestry, or Spanish Leather cushions available (1901 Retail Plates)

Although production of this model began sometime in 1900, the first image published of it was a line drawing that appeared in the 1901 retail plates. This earliest representation had a pronounced tapering in the leg, and relatively narrow arms. By the time the model was photographed for the 1902 Retail Plates, the legs were straight and the arms were widened and supported by brackets. Presumably, the model remained fairly constant throughout its final two years of production as it did not change substantially when it was published as Reclining Chair (no. 336). Whether there are any meaningful differences between a no. 2340 made in early 1904 or a no. 336 made shortly thereafter–and indeed how one would distinguish the two–remains unanswered. Additionally, the marks may be of limited help in these situations, mainly because there are too many unknowns–when precisely forms changed, when exactly marks were introduced, and whether they were in use by everyone in the shop all at once. Unmarked pieces are even less helpful in building a case for a date range, though many will take solace in the freedom to label their examples with the earliest date possible despite any supporting evidence.

This form is sometimes referred to as a “bow arm (or bow-arm) Morris chair” with additional variants like “narrow arm” and “reverse tapered.” Since the word “taper” is defined as “to become progressively smaller towards one end” or “to diminish gradually,” further qualifications strike me as gratuitous.

2340

Factory Inventory (1901-04)

$21.00 (two cushions) (1901 Factory Inventory)

$13.75 (frame only), $18.50 denim, $23.00 tapestry, $26.00 Spanish leather (1901 Retail Plates)

$9.00 (frame only), $12.00 denim, $15.00 tapestry, $17.00 Spanish leather (1901 Retail Plates)

Austrian Oak or Green Ash (1901 Retail Plates)

Oak (1902 inventory)

Oak (1903 inventory)

1901 Retail Plate image courtesy of Winterthur Library, Gustav Stickley, [Drawings of articles of furniture, printed and reproduced] (Syracuse, NY: G. Stickley, 1901), call no. NK2265 S845g.

1902 Retail Plate image courtesy of Winterthur Library, Gustav Stickley, [Catalog of Photoprinted Plates] [Grand Rapids, Mich.]: G. Stickley, [1902 or 1903], call no. NK2265 S845 F TC