Armchair
17th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Armchair of walnut and leather. The back slopes slightly. The square-sectioned upright members end in shell-like pinnacles: they continue down to form the back legs. A horizontal member joins the uprights and the top of the back. The back has a tough square leather panel stretched across and held with flat dome-headed nails. The leather is tooled and gilded, the decoration consisting of panels and scroll-work and a central coat of arms. The arms are splayed, terminating in downward curling scrolls. Their supports are turned with baluster forms and continue down to square-sectioned legs with turned details. The single stretchers at each side and the pair of stretchers in front are also turned with 'bobbin effects'. The padded leather seat in splain but is fixed with the same nails as the back (this appears to be a modern replacement).
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Walnut and poplar, with tooled leather |
| Brief description | Armchair, walnut and leather, Italy, 17th century |
| Physical description | Armchair of walnut and leather. The back slopes slightly. The square-sectioned upright members end in shell-like pinnacles: they continue down to form the back legs. A horizontal member joins the uprights and the top of the back. The back has a tough square leather panel stretched across and held with flat dome-headed nails. The leather is tooled and gilded, the decoration consisting of panels and scroll-work and a central coat of arms. The arms are splayed, terminating in downward curling scrolls. Their supports are turned with baluster forms and continue down to square-sectioned legs with turned details. The single stretchers at each side and the pair of stretchers in front are also turned with 'bobbin effects'. The padded leather seat in splain but is fixed with the same nails as the back (this appears to be a modern replacement). |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Dr. R.W.L. Todd |
| Object history | Given to the V&A in 1952 by Dr. R.W.L. Todd of Chislehurst, Kent [RF 52/1035]. On entry to the Museum it was noted that the stretchers and finials displayed some woodworm damage. The arms were identified at acquisition as those of Chiaramonti of Verona (see Rietstap, s.v.) This chair is not particularly well-made. The joints where the arms meet the back are quite crudely excecuted. The finials on the back are separate carvings and appear to be additions. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.25-1952 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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