Hi,
I picked up this chair for $20.
I plan on refinishing and making leather upholstered cushions for it, and reselling.
It looks like it was refinished at some point and stained mahogony. Also, I think the plywood seat was added to replace a coil spring set up.
The grain does not appear to be Q-sawn.There are no mortise tennon joints, but has 2 through metal rods inside the front and back rails with some type of connector.
Any thoughts on a restored value or who made it?
The castors (original?) are dated "FE 13 1894".

Thanks,
Shaun
http://www.geocities.com/skodafelicias/Artscraftsrecliner.JPG

Your Morris Chair is from a generic maker sometime during the middle Arts & Crafts period (after 1907). What is isn't is Stickley (any brothers), Limbert, Roycroft, Quaint, Conant, Michigan Chair, or any of the "major" arts & crafts companies. If you don't see Quarersawn oak (which most A&C were made of, even if veneered) or mahogony. Chestnut was used as well, but it does have a distinctive grain. The seat was most likely a drop in spring cushion (which will date the chair later in the period). Because the chair has been previously refinished and altered, it will affect the resale price slighty. But because the chair is not a significant piece, an auction value will be around $300 to $500. If sent to Rago or Treadway, it would be relegated to a "generic piece." But it has some interesting lines. The recliner rod set up is both an old (it was used in very early pre-craftsman period Morris chairs) and then revived by later manufactures. But never by the major manufacturers.

Thanks,
I'll post a picture after I restore it. Although it's a back burner project.
I stripped a small section, and the grain looks like rift sawn W. oak...not sure if it's cosistant (can't see the end grain).
I do like the lines. A bit odd, but unique.

Shaun