Pair of plank bottom chairs, original stenciled and grain-painted decoration, both branded on bottom "W Smith Warranted" (possibly William V. Smith, Brooklyn, New York, American, second quarter 19th century). 33"H x 19"W x 20"D. See Nancy Goyne Evans, [American Windsor Chairs], Winterthur, 1996, page 280, "William V. Smith, who manufactured fancy and Windsor chairs… in 1826 he described his chairs as 'cheap, if not cheaper than New York prices'. Smith probably drifted into chair making from the 'carpentry business', but soon dropped from sight and may have resurfaced later in Chicago, Illinois, in the grocery business". Provenance: estate of A. Welling LaGrone Jr., Nashville, Tenn., ex-Benjamin Caldwell Jr. Condition: Seats with dents and old hammer marks, feet with minor wear, scattered wear and losses to decoration.