Chair
1730-1750
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This form of chair was very popular throughout northern Europe in the first half of the eighteenth century. In several centres they were known as 'Englische Stuhlen' or 'English chairs' because the design originated in England, although it was based on Chinese chairs, which were then just beginning to be known in Europe. The design elements borrowed from the Chinese makers included the central splat to the back (often gently bent to give particular support to the lower back) and the caned seats. The ornament too was borrowed from East Asian import, in this case the lacquered decoration that was most often seen on Chinese or Japanese screen or chests. This form of chair was found in may countries apart from Britain, particularly in Scandinavia and northern Germany. Some were exported from England, others made in the various centres as versions of the design.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Walnut, painted and gildee. the seat of cane |
| Brief description | Splat back chair of walnut, carved and decorated with red japanning and gilding on a blackish ground (possibly originally green), with cane seat, the legs joined by a turned H-form stretcher with a higher back stretcher. |
| Physical description | Chair of walnut, enriched with coloured japanning and gilding: the open back, carved above with a shell between leaves, has a vase shaped centre splate decorated in gilding with a figure and flowering plants on a green ground, in the style of east Asian lacquer. The front legs are cabriole with claw and ball feet, and the back legs turned: the legs are connected by four turned stretchers. The seat is caned. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Stanislas Baron |
| Object history | Given by Monsieur Stanislas Baron, 28 rue Grange-Batalière, Paris, 1897 (Nominal File: Baron, Stanislas, MA/1/B494, RF 24203/97), where it was described as 'Louis XV Chair, painted & gilt with Japanese figure on the back (damaged & scratched). Monsieur Baron was a dealer who had regular dealings with the Museum from 1869-1897. |
| Place depicted | |
| Summary | This form of chair was very popular throughout northern Europe in the first half of the eighteenth century. In several centres they were known as 'Englische Stuhlen' or 'English chairs' because the design originated in England, although it was based on Chinese chairs, which were then just beginning to be known in Europe. The design elements borrowed from the Chinese makers included the central splat to the back (often gently bent to give particular support to the lower back) and the caned seats. The ornament too was borrowed from East Asian import, in this case the lacquered decoration that was most often seen on Chinese or Japanese screen or chests. This form of chair was found in may countries apart from Britain, particularly in Scandinavia and northern Germany. Some were exported from England, others made in the various centres as versions of the design. |
| Bibliographic reference | registered papers 24203/1897 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 589-1897 |
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| Record created | December 16, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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