THE BROMFIELD FAMILY RARE QUEEN ANNE CARVED WALNUT COMPASS-SEAT SIDE CHAIR, Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1745

Retains a dry old historic surface.

Descended from Colonel Henry Bromfield (1727-1820), the first Minister of Boston and son of Edward Bromfield, a well known merchant. This chair was in the same family which offered an important Boston tall case clock carved by John Welch, sold in these rooms in 1990, now in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.  A label on the clock, which described the descent,  inscribed: Bro . field clock remove ... from Harvard Mass. Oct. 1881, having been in H. since 1769 or earlier. Owned by Henry Bromfield S.M.B. Blurchass. Denison R. Slade in Chestnut Hill 20 Oct. 1881 Middlesex Co.  Also bears two paper labels on the inside of door, one inscribed in ink: The descent of Dr. D.D. Slade from Col. Bromfield of Harvard. Col Henry Bromfield ______1, Miss Elizabeth Bromfield, his daughter became Mrs. Daniel D., Rogers) 2. Miss Elizabeth Rogers, the eldest child of Mrs. D.D. Rogers became Mrs. J. Tilton Slade) 3. married Denison, the only son of Mrs.J.S. Slade) 4. Col. Henry Bromfield, to whom this clock belonged was the great-grandfather of Dr. D.S. Slade upon his Mother's Mrs. J. S. Slade's side. D.R.S. Sept. 26, 1897. The second label inscribed: The descent of Dr. D.D. Slade from Col. Henry Bromfield of Harvard, Mass. to whom this clock belonged written out by Denison R Rogers Slade eldest son of Dr. D.D. Slade;

Sotheby's, Fine American Furniture, Folk Art, Folk Paintings and Silver, June 28, 1990, sale 6051, lot 541;
Property from a Private Collector;
Sotheby's, Fine Americana, October 26, 1991, sale 6227, lot 411.

Secondary wood is maple; proper right rear foot heel slightly smaller than proper left rear foot, repairs to both stiles.
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.

Colonel Henry Bromfield (1727-1820) was a first linear descendant of Reverend John Wilson, the first minister of Boston and son of Edward Bromfield, a well-known merchant. Colonel Bromfield became associated in trade with his brother Thomas in London, and was one of the most successful and wealthy men of his day. In 1762 he married Hannah Clarke, eldest daughter of Richard Clarke who was agent of the East India Tea Company and consignee of the cargoes of tea thrown into the dock by the disguised patriots, December 16, 1773.

While Colonel Bromfield occasionally made a brief stay at his Harvard farm, his home was in Boston, where business interests required that he spend most of his time. His life and home is described in some detail in a book by Henry Stedman Nourse, History of the Town of Harvard, Massachusetts, 1732-1893, (Harvard Press: Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1894), pp. 132-136.

For related chairs see John Walton advertisement, The Magazine Antiques, February 1961, p. 133, Joseph K. Ott, The John Brown House loan exhibition of Rhode Island furniture, including some notable portraits, Chinese export porcelain & other items (Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence, R.I., 1965), p. 6, fig 6 and The Magazine Antiques, May 1965, p. 564, John T. Kirk, American Chairs: Queen Anne and Chippendale, (Knopf, New York, 1972), fig. 158.