English, 1680-1700, walnut, caned seat, 55/515c

Caned chair. The carved crest with crossed S-scrolls and symmetrical outer scrolls and acanthus is set onto the turned rear uprights and the plain inner uprights which enclose an arched caned panel. The lower back rail is tenoned into the rear uprights and is carved on its lower edge with scrolls and leaves. Below the seat the rear uprights rake gently backwards adn the back feet have been built up at the back with a triangular shaped block. The front legs, set at 45 degrees, are carved in the form of an extended S-scroll and are joined by a simple, moulded stretcher of arched form with small carved 'leaves' at either end, creating larger tenons into the front legs. The plain seat frame (the side rails tenoned into the front rail) is set onto the front legs and tenoned directly into the rear uprights. A reinforcing batten has been added inside the seat frame, screwed behind (and into) the back rail.

With heavy stain overall. This chair appears to be in essentially original condition, apart probably from replaced caning.

Given by Miss E. Barnby Smith

On loan to Montacute House, from 1946 to 2023
Cane chair on loan to Mantacute, bequeathed by Miss E Barnby Smith 24 Oct. 1940, Woodside, Sheet, Petersfield 'Portion of cresting wanting. Slight repair'
Notes from R.P. 1475/40

24/7/37 Thorpe visit to Smith's house, Woodside, Sheet, Petersfield, Hants
to inspect a Chinese cabinet. While there he proposes the possible additional bequest of "a tall back chair… This chair, very high and narrow, with cane panel in the back, carved open work cresting, cane seat and scrolles feet and stretchers….perhaps recaned at an early date is in good condition and unlike our existing specimens; and seems to me an elegant piece. It is stated to be the last survivor of a collection of early 17th century oak furniture formed by Miss Smith's maternal grandfather. To judge by an illustrated sale catalog dated 1894, of the sale at Barnaby Moor….of Miss Smith's parents effects, this family furniture included a number of (Commonwealth?) and Stuart pieces of quite outstanding merit, some of these of North Country origin".

28/7/47 Ashby to Miss Barnaby-Smith
regarding the possibility of including the chair in her bequest. "….we should be happy to accept…this elegant example of late-seventeenth century furniture".

2/8/47 Miss Barnaby-Smith
bequeaths both the cabinet and the chair to the Museum.

September 1940 Miss Barnaby-Smith
due to failing health, she gives the cabinet and chair to the Museum.

The Transit Room
records the condition of the chair as "chipped, split, worm-eaten".

probably London

W.38-1940