A Very Fine and Rare Pair of Federal Carved Mahogany Side Chairs, by Stephen Badlam, Dorchester, Massachusetts circa 1800

both chairs stamped S. Badlam.  Both chairs appear to retain an old, possibly original, surface. 

John S. Walton, Inc., New York

The Magazine Antiques (April 1954): 4. John Walton advertisement

Wear to corner of legs, feet with minor abrasions; one chair missing inset molding in proper left foot.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Bearing the stamp "S. Badlam," these richly carved Federal side chairs are the work of Stephen Badlam (1751-1815), a cabinetmaker working in Dorchester, Massachusetts during the late eighteenth century. After serving as a major in the Revolutionary Army, Badlam resigned his commission following an illness. He established a cabinet shop in Dorchester Lower Mills by 1777 and worked there until his death in 1815.

These chairs appear to stem from the same set as a side chair stamped S. Badlam illustrated in Mabel Swan, "General Stephen Badlam, cabinet and lookingglass maker," The Magazine Antiques (May 1954): 382. Another example from the set also stamped "S. Badlam" as well as initialed "S.F." is in the collection of Winterthur Museum and illustrated in Charles Montgomery, American Furniture, The Federal Period, New York, 1966, no. 30, p. 86. The initials stamped on the latter probably refer to Samuel Fiske (1769-1797), a journeyman in Badlam's shop. An additional chair from the set is illustrated in Sack's Fine Points of Furniture, p. 53 and The Magazine Antiques (September 1948): 187. Another example or one of the aforementioned chairs was sold at Parke-Bernet, Important American Furniture: Property from the Estate of the Late Cornelius C. Moore, Newport, Rhode Island, October 30, 1971, lot 61.