Michael Hall Antiques

DICK POYNOR (1802-1882) YOUTH CHAIR

A rare Dick Poynor youth chair with a hand woven seat likely made by son James Poynor (1833-1893) in Williamson county, Tennessee.

Provenance: Descended through the Hatcher family of Williamson county, Tennessee.

Richard (Dick) Poynor was born a slave in Halifax County, VA and emigrated to Williamson County in 1816 with the Robert Poynor family. It appears likely that Robert Poynor taught Dick the art of chair making for his estate inventory included chair making tools. Upon Robert's death in 1848 Dick became the property of Dr. A.B. Poynor, Robert's son. Sometime between 1850 and 1860, Dick obtained his freedom and, if tradition is correct, purchased the freedom of his second wife, Millie. By 1860, he was working at his horsepowered chair factory and hillside farm of 150 acres off Pinewood Road in western Williamson County, a free man.
Dick Poynor and possibly his son, James (1833-1893) produced hundreds of chairs at their factory.
Despite the racial strife following the Civil War, Dick Poynor remained an honored citizen of the community as evidenced by his membership in the Leipers Fork Primitive Baptist Church from April 1865 until his death in 1882. He was buried in the Garrison cemetery near his home and factory site, next to his second wife, Millie. It is assumed his first wife Loucinda, was buried with the Robert Poynor family off Moore's Lane in Brentwood.

The Richard Poynor family Bible was purchased May 27, 1835 for $3.00 and includes the following:
Richard L. Poynor born June 22, 1802 died March 27, 1882
Loucinda Poynor born March 11, 1808 died Feb 29, 1840
Children:
Martha Ann Poynor born March 6, 1827 died Aug 3, 1835
Catarine Poynor born Sept 20 1828 died Aug 16, 1887
Thomas Poyner born Aug 30, 1829 died March 3 1854
James Poynor born Feb 10, 1833 died Aug 10 1893
Phillip Poynor born July 19 1835
Mary Poynor born Oct 7 1837
Lucinda Jane Poynor born Sept 7 1839
Second wife: Millie Poynor 1798-1878

Souce: Williamson County In Black & White Williamson County Historical Society Journal No. 31 2000 by Rick Warwick.

Height 31 1/2”

Width 18 1/2”

Depth 15”

Ca. 1840.  Mid Atlantic.

Carved from a single piece of wood. H 42 1/2”. W 19” Seat height 18”.

Great detailed carving.

Likely made in Mexico or Asia in the 1960’s for the American market. Great detail including underside of top. This table would have accompanied a hand chair.

The modern "hand chair" was designed by Mexican Surrealist artist Pedro Friedberg in the early 1960’s, inspired by a surrealist art movement. Although earlier hand-shaped chairs existed in places like the Philippines, Friedeberg’s iconic, hand-carved wooden design became famous for its playful, sculptural, and functional design that sits on the palm with fingers as back and armrests.