Harp chair

Item Overview

• Type: Side chairs (dining or occasional)
• Style: Federal Revival / Lyre-Back (Harp-Back)
• Material: Likely solid mahogany or cherry with a medium-warm stain
• Upholstery: Reupholstered ~40 years ago in a striped mid-century fabric
• Condition: Good overall – minor scuffing to legs and edges, structurally solid
• Construction: Machine-made with dowels/screws, corner braces suggest mid-20th century production

Style & Period

These chairs are a reproduction of early 19th-century Federal American chairs, specifically the "Lyre-back" or "Harp-back" side chairs, which became a popular motif in Neoclassical and Empire styles from 1800–1830.

However, your examples are likely from the 1940s–1960s, during the widespread Colonial Revival movement in the U.S. This style became common for dining sets and occasional chairs sold by companies like Drexel, Ethan Allen, or other American manufacturers, especially in the post-war period.

The lyre-shaped back splat is the distinguishing feature. It references classical Greek themes and was often used in formal dining rooms, often paired with Hepplewhite- or Sheraton-style tables.

Market Value

Sale Type

Value Range (Per Chair)

Private Sale / Estate Sale

$40 – $75

Online (eBay, FB Marketplace)

$50 – $100

Antique Store or Designer Retail

$100 – $175 (if part of a larger set or professionally restored)

A pair like yours in good condition, with their elegant harp motif, would appeal to:

• Traditional furniture collectors
• Designers seeking accent chairs
• Vintage enthusiasts wanting mid-century quality

Suggestions

• Keep them as-is if they’re sentimental. They’re handsome and usable, and the solid wood will last for generations.
• If selling or displaying, consider cleaning and lightly oiling the wood (e.g., with Howard Feed-N-Wax) to refresh the finish.
• If you ever want to reupholster again, using a fabric in a period-appropriate damask or neutral linen could enhance their appeal to collectors.

Recommendation

No formal professional appraisal is needed unless they are part of a full dining set or associated with a specific maker (check under the seat for any stamped marks or labels). If you'd like help identifying a maker, I’d be happy to help if you can share any markings from the underside or inner frame.