Not currently on display at the V&A

Armchair

late 16th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Armchair of carved oak, inlaid with marble plaques surrounded by dark banding. The uprights of the back are joined at the top by a deep rail of irregular outline finely carved in low relief with scrollwork and leafy designs and inlaid with a marble plaque. It has two turned drops. The arms which terminate in ram's heads are carved with leaves. The framework below the seat is ornamented with two grotesque figures in low relief and is inlaid with a marble plaque. The front legs are column shaped. There are four plain stretchers.

Crest integral with top rail

Replacement parts
All rails (except front?) and all stretchers; back plank of seat, brackets below rear panel
Rear stiles repaired at feet with spliced in sections
Prosaic quality of the carving and incised lines might cast suspicion on the back panel.
Fast growth oak?
The banding around the marble plaques looks suspect, and the marble plaques themselves could also be additions. Overall this chair should be considered cautiously in terms of its integrity. There must be a suspicion that it was created in the 19th century.

The Frick chair 16588 similar in form 'completely reconstructed using old and new elements'. Note the appearance of similar chairs in 16th century illustrations, eg Thirion p.138


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Oak, carved, with marble panels
Physical description
Armchair of carved oak, inlaid with marble plaques surrounded by dark banding. The uprights of the back are joined at the top by a deep rail of irregular outline finely carved in low relief with scrollwork and leafy designs and inlaid with a marble plaque. It has two turned drops. The arms which terminate in ram's heads are carved with leaves. The framework below the seat is ornamented with two grotesque figures in low relief and is inlaid with a marble plaque. The front legs are column shaped. There are four plain stretchers.

Crest integral with top rail

Replacement parts
All rails (except front?) and all stretchers; back plank of seat, brackets below rear panel
Rear stiles repaired at feet with spliced in sections
Prosaic quality of the carving and incised lines might cast suspicion on the back panel.
Fast growth oak?
The banding around the marble plaques looks suspect, and the marble plaques themselves could also be additions. Overall this chair should be considered cautiously in terms of its integrity. There must be a suspicion that it was created in the 19th century.

The Frick chair 16588 similar in form 'completely reconstructed using old and new elements'. Note the appearance of similar chairs in 16th century illustrations, eg Thirion p.138
Dimensions110 x 59.5 x 46 x 54cm
Credit line
Bequeathed by George Salting
Object history
Acquired with a seat cushion covered in red velvet, which was missing by 1967.
Production
heavily restored, probably in the late 19th century
Collection
Accession number
W.214-1910

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Record createdMarch 19, 2007
Record URL
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