Physical description
Armchair or Chair of State, upholstered with purple velvet and gold fringe
[Armchair] The frame of the chair is beech, covered with purple velvet and decorated with gold fringes underneath the arms and seat rail. The arms are scrolled, and the legs both at the front and back are constructed in an "X" frame and joined by an axel and stretchers at both sides near the bottom. The lower edges of the legs scroll in an ornamental fashion, towards the feet, which protrude at the sides. Both the axel and the stretchers are covered with velvet. The front of the axel is decorated with a disc, studded with gilt nails and edged with metal gimp, and the back is painted scarlet. There are two other discs decorated like the former, cut through in one place so as to pass over the axel. At each end of the back of the chair are placed an oval finial, with velvet stuck on with animal glue and studied with gilt nails. The back of the chair has a fixed rail along the top but none at the bottom. It is covered with blue-green satin at the back. The seat frame is crossed with hempen girth webbing over a canvas base. A large linen cushion, stuffed with feathers and originally nailed to the seat frame has been attached to it with Velcro since 1989.
Since 1989, the large, lower cushion has been covered with recently woven (1989) purple cotton as have the arms. Fragments of the original velvet are attached to this cushion. The fringe consists of gold-coloured silk, silver gilt wire and fragments of gold bullion, held in place by iron nails with gilt nail heads.
[Cushion] The upper cushion lies on top of the one attached to the chair frame. It is covered with fragments of the original purple velvet on the top and blue green satin underneath, supported on died cotton with beva film. The cushion case is made of linen ticking and stuffed with feathers. These are thought to be original.
Place of Origin
Greater London, England (made)
Date
1661 (made)
Artist/maker
Casbert, John (maker)
Silverson, Ralph (fringe maker)
Materials and Techniques
[Armchair] Beech frame, upholstered with purple velvet, green/blue satin and gilt nails, with fringe of gold wire, silver-gilt wire and gold-coloured cotton
Dimensions
[Armchair] Height: 127 cm, Width: 84 cm maximum, top, Depth: 70 cm
[Cushion] Height: 14 cm approx., Width: 73 cm approx., Depth: 50.2 cm approx.
Object history note
This chair of State and accompanying footstool (W13-1928) were made by John Casbert for William Juxon (1582 - 1663), Archbishop of Canterbury, who officiated at the coronation of King Charles II, which took place in Westminster Abbey on 23rd April 1661. They were both later removed to Juxon's house at Little Compton, Gloucestershire, and passed down through his family until the death of his nephew's daughter-in-law, Viscountess Fane in 1791. They were subsequently bought by a Mr Sands, who by 1808 had bequeathed it to a cousin who married a surgeon from Birmingham, by the name of E.T.Cox. Their son, Dr. Sands Cox, in turn bequeathed them both to the Moreton-on-Marsh Cottage Hospital at a later but unknown date. In 1889 they were exhibited at the Royal House of Stuart exhibition at the New Gallery, Regent St., London, and in 1928 it was bought by the Victoria & Albert Museum for £500 (with a grant of £100 from the N.A.C.F.) Between January and July 1989 conservation was done to both the upholstery and woodwork of the chair in preparation for display in the British Primary Galleries. Research done in preparation for Western Furniture - 1350 to the Present Day (ed. C.D.Wilk) revealed that this chair, hitherto associated with the trial and execution of King Charles I, was in fact made by John Casbert, the leading upholsterer of his day, as the Archbishop of Canterbury's throne at the coronation of King Charles II. Used by William Juxon (1582-1663), Archbishop of Canterbury, during the coronation of Charles II (23 April 1661)Supplied by the London workshops of John Casbert (active 1660-1676); fringes made by Ralph Silverson (active, 1660-1680)
Notes from R.P. 28/1124
1/10/26 memo, Brackett to Director
A chair, said to have belonged to Charles I, currently exhibited in the Cottage Hospital, Moreton-in-the-Marsh is being sold. The chair belonged to Bishop Juxon, Archbishop of Canterbury (who was present at the execution of Charles I).
Handwritten description on Moreton-in-the-Marsh Cottage Hospital letterhead
"King Charles Chair -- The chair in which King Charles the First sat during his trial at Westminster Hall & which passed directly from Mr. Sands Cox, who obtained it from Lady Fane of Little Compton in the County of Warwick, the direct descendant of Bishop Juxson".
20/1/27 Warden letter to Brackett
encloses a photograph of the chair.
21/1/27 Edwards minute paper
This type of chair was introduced from Italy in the middle of the 16th c. Mary Tudor and others of her court are represented by Sir Antonio Moor seated in chairs of this character (Further illegible references). Edwards believes the descent of the chair is as stated. He recommends purchase of "a genuine example of this period…in view of the associations it would appear one of the most important historical relics…offered to the Museum for many years". He notes the chair with its contemporary footstool is illustrated in Relics of the Royal House of Stuart Gibb, Skelton 1895.
4/2/27 Brackett minute paper
Brackett inspected the chair and found it fine and interesting but adversely affected by the fact that the velvet was extremely damaged (coverings of the seat and arms is gone; materials on the back torn; in good condition on cushions and footstool).
Brackett is in correspondence with Lambeth Palace Library to obtain conclusive evidence of the chair's history. He finds it value and importance lies more in the fact that it is "a very rare and interesting type of chair made in England on an Italian model found only in Royal Palaces or a few grand houses". He recommends offering £450 for the chair.
4/2/27 Edwards minute paper
quotes The Gentleman's Magazine, Dec. 17, 1794 (Vol. LXIV Part I).Refers to a drawing of "the state chair and footstool which was the property of the unfortunate King Charles I, the original of which is in the possession of Mr Sands of Wheelbarrow Castle---they are covered in purple velvet, richly laced and fringed with gold, and gilt nails." The pedigree is given: After the execution the chair became the propery of Bishop Juxon; passed down to William Juxon who left it to his lady who afterwards married Lord Viscount Fane. She died in 1791 and the chair was purchased at an auction of her effects by Mr Sands.
Nov. 1909 (Vol. LXXVIII, Part 2)
asserts the chair was used by Charles I during his trial in Westminster Hall. Two drawings by Charles Pye can be compared to the Plate and description in Nelson's Journal of the High Court Justices for the Tryal of King Charles I "The King sitting in a large elbow chair covered with crimson velvet with gold fringe and nails, and a velvet cushion". Both Edwards and Brackett suggest that the fact that the velvet is described as "crimson" not "green" is "probably due to a mistake".
16/2/27 Edwards minute
reports that the will of Archbishop Juxon does not mention the chair. Nelson's Journal of 1683 contains an engraving of the trial scene which shows the upper portion of a chair which matches that in question.
February/March/April
An offer is made to purchase the chair for £450; extensive correspondence follows regarding attempts to obtain a better price elsewhere and regarding sanction from the Charity Commissioners and the role of the press.
June 1927 confidential letter Maclagan to Sir Lionel Earle (H.M.Office of Works)
states his position regarding placement of the chair at Westminster Hall vs. the V & A. Maclagan has responded to an inquiry by Sir Gilbert Wills (President of the Cottage Hospital), who is considering placement at Westminster, stating "the evidence for associating the chair with Charles I at his trial is dubious as most of the historical evidence for Charles I relics. On the other hand, the authenticity of the chair as a completely unrestored example of a piece of English Furniture of the first half of the 17th century is beyond cavil. I am exceedingly anxious that it should find a permanent home in the Museum. If it were really certain that Charles I had sat in it, there would no doubt be some reason for exhibiting it at Westminster, but I'm sure you agree that a relic of that kind which is at best doubtful is not a very desirable acquisition from the historical point of view".
20 June 1927 letter, Earle to Maclagan
states the chair belongs at the V & A and encloses correspondence re. authenticity.
22 June 1927 Minute Paper
consists of quotations from correspondence sent to the V & A from Lionel Earle regarding the chair's history. This supports the chair as being genuinely Jacobean and property of Juxon but questions the transfer from Charles I. It is unlikely the lay had power of disposal over the chair; and unlikely that Parliament would confer any favours on Juxon. "If the chair be accepted it can only be as a good piece of early 17th century furniture to which unproved tradition, of doubtful date, is attached -- C.R.P."
November 1927 letter, Brackett to Warden (Cottage Hospital)
in response to his letter, Brackett reassures him that the chair is of interest to the Museum as a rare type but also for its traditional history.
24 December 1927 the offer
of £550 from the V & A is accepted by the Cottage Hospital.
3/1/28 Brackett
requests sanction for purchase and notes "there is no case of a chair like this coming into the market before (there is one at Knole)" so it is impossible to quote a precedent.
4/1/28 letter, Palmer (V & A) to NACF
requests assistance for purchasing the chair which belonged to Juxon and "even though the association with the king must be considered … not proven".
The R.P.
Contains press notices, further reference to engravings and prints showing the trial of Charles I.
Historical significance: John Casbert produced lavish seating furniture for King Charles II, the royal family and various members of his court from ca. 1660 until his death in 1677. He was without doubt the leading upholsterer in the years following the restoration of the Monrachy and what John Evelyn called "the politer way of living". The Chair is vitally important from the point of view of both National and Furniture History: it served as the throne of the Archbishop of Canterbury who officiated at the coronation ceremony of King Charles II, thus finally establishing the return of Monarchy to the British Isles; and this is the only documented piece of Casbert's furniture, with the possible exception of two "X" frame chairs at Knole, to survive.
Descriptive line
Chair of state for the coronation of Charles II
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
London, P.R.O., LC 2/8
From Mich[aelmas] 1660 to Lady Day 1661
"John Casbert Upholsterer Craveth allowance as followeth for worke and provisions made and by pformed [sic] for his Ma'ties servis at his Coronation vizr...
... a rich purple velvet Chaire [sic] of State for the Bishop wth a foot stoole and seat cusshon [sic] suitable: fringed with gold fringes and double gilt nailes wth cases of Bayes £04:00:00"
"Coronation: Ralph Silverson Fringe maker Craveth allowance as follows .. For Chaire & ca of Bsp of Caterbury: 87 oz of gold and passamaine Lace and fringe at vi s viiid per oz. £29:01:08
London, P.R.O., LC 5/137, p. 49
London, P.R.O., LC 5/137, p. 49
"... one chayre of State of purple velvett fringed gold fringe with seat cushion and foot stoole all suitable for ye ArchBpp thta crowns ye King."
John Gilby: 'A Brief Narrative of His Majestie's Solemn Coronation with his Magnificent Proceding, and Royal Feast in Westminster. (London: Richard Mariot, Thomas Dring, 1662), p. 175.
"... On the North-side pf the altar sate the Bishop pf London, directly opposite to the King in the Arch Bishop's Chair, covered with Purple Velvet: the rest of the Bishops being placed on Forms behind him".
"The Gentleman's Magazine", Vol. LXIV (1), June 1794, p. 507.
"I have sent also a drawing ... of the State-chair and footstool which was the property of the unfortunate King Charles the First, the original of which is in the possession of Mr Sands, of Wheelbarrow Castle, near Barton on the Heath in Warwickshire. They are covered with purple velvet, richly laced and fringed with gold and gilt nails".
"The Gentleman's Magazine", Vol. LXIV (2), July 1794, p. 618.
"The Gentleman's Magzine", Vol. LXIV (1), June 1794, p. 507.
"I have sent also a drawing (fig. 3) od the State-chair and footstool which was the property of the unfortunate King Charles the First, the original of which is in the possession of Mr Sands, of Wheelbarrow Castle, near Barton on the Heath, in Warwickshire. They are covered with purple velvet, richly laced and fringed with gold, and gilt nails."
"The Gentleman's Magazine", Vol. LXIV (2), July 1974, p. 618.
"The Gentleman's Magazine, Vol. LXXXIX, November 1808, p. 969.
London. New Gallery, Regent St., "Exhibition of the Royal House of Stuart - under the Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen" (London, 1889), p. 133.
"No. 808. Chair, with cushion and footstool, used by Charles I at his trial".
Edwards, Ralph. The "Charles I Chair". Country Life. 11th Febraury 1928, vol. LXIII, pp.176-177
Beard, C. King Charles I's Chair: a New Theory. The Connoisseur. April 1928, vol. LXXX, pp.228-231
Russell, C.E. The Juxon Chair and the Bower Portraits of King Charles I. Old Furniture. June 1928, IV, pp.28-99
Yorke, James. New Light shed on Archbishop's Chair and Footstool. Furniture History Newsletter. November 1995, no. 120, pp.10-11
Wilk, Christopher (ed.). Western Furniture: 1350 to the Present Day. London: V&A Publications, 1996, pp.68-69 ISBN: 1856674435
Yorke, James. Archbishop Juxon's Chair. Burlington Magazine. June 1999, vol. CXLI
H. Clifford Smith, Catalogue of English Furniture & Woodwork (London 1930), cat. 542. Plate 14
Arm-Chair, covered with discoloured velvet, originally crimson, with tarnished gold fringes. The chair has a wide rectangular back with egg-shaped finials at the corners. The arms are shaped; and the lower portion is of X-form with a circular medallion at the intersection of the legs, which are united by chamfered stretchers, and have shaped crockets on their under surfaces. The framework, of a soft wood, is covered with velvet, trimmed at the edges with fringed galon, which is studded with brass-headed nails. There are two cushions for the seat.
English. Early 17th century.
H. 4 ft. 2 in., W. 2ft. 9 in., D. 2 ft. 3 in.
This chair, of a very rare type, of which examples were made only for palaces and a few great houses, was formerly in the possession of William Juxon, Archbishop of Canterbury, who attended Charles I on the scaffold. At his death in 1663 it passed, together with his residence, Little Compton Manor House, near Morton-in-Marsh, to his nephew and heir, Sir William Juxon, and finally to Lady Juxon, first wife of the Archbishop's great nephew, who married subsequently Viscount Fane. Lady Fane died in 1792, and the chair was then purchased by a member of the Cox family of Birmingham, being later bequeathed to the Moreton-in-Marsh Cottage Hospital by Mr. Sands Cox of Wheelbarrow Castle (see the 'Gentleman's Magazine' 17th December 1794, Vol. LXIV, Part I; and November 1808, Vol. LXXVIII, Part II). This was reputed to be the actual chair on which Charles I sat at his trial in Westminster Hall, but the claim is founded on a comparatively recent tradition, and on examination cannot be substantiated.
(See also 'King Charles I's Chair,' by Charles R. Beard, in 'The Connoisseur,' July, 1928, p. 228.)
Exhibition History
The Royal House of Stuart (New Gallery 01/01/1889-31/12/1889)
Labels and date
British Galleries:
The upholsterer John Casbert, who supplied this chair and stool, worked in London between 1660 and 1676. He may have come from France. Casbert supplied chairs, beds and fabrics for the royal palaces and for royal occasions and was also responsible for the furnishings of the royal yachts. For this commission he worked with Ralph Silverson, a fringe maker. Casbert charged £4 for making the stool and the chair, whereas the gold and silver fringes cost £29. [27/03/2003]
Associated Events
Coronation of King Charles II
Production Note
Reason For Production: Commission
Materials
Cotton; Gold; Silk; Velvet; Iron; Satin; Beech; Velcro; Silvergilt wire
Techniques
Joining; Stuffing; Upholstering; Chamfering; Webbing; Tacking
Categories
Furniture
Production Type
Unique
Collection code
FWK
