Chair, English, 1630-80, walnut, Shropshire ?

Joined and turned walnut chair, (square section between bobbin turning) with rectangular back and board seat. The full-height uprights (gently raked above the seat) and three side-to-side stretchers. The back is open with two turned rails and three turned verticals of reduced section. Both back uprights have a turned finial of flattened knob.

Construction
The chair is of joined construction (single-pegged,except for double-pegging where the side rails meet the back uprigts). The seat has a moulded edge all round, and consists of 2 butted boards (the front of walnut(?), possibly original, the back of beech(?) and apparently replaced, which are dowelled down onto the rails. The front and side rails have a simple scratch mouldng on their lower, outside edge. The back rail has been repaired along its top edge with a strip of oak.

Modifications
Replacement board to seat, and repair to back rail.
A split at the top of the left front leg.
All four feet with wear and some small damages.

Bought for £15 from H. Thurston Beer, 29, Church Street, Hereford (Antiques dealer)
RF 50/2472
On loan to Mary Newman's Cottage, Saltash since 1984.

This chair was purchased by the vendor at a sale of the effects of Sir H.W.A Ripley Bart. And was said to be part of the original furnishings of Bedstone Court [or House], Bucknell, Shropshire. Another chair, apparently the pair to this, was purchased by the National Museum of Wales (inv. No. tbc )

Note on dept. file 'Cf Doddington Lincs \', and another, 'Gillow MSS 1848???'

On loan to Mary Newman's Cottage, Saltash

W.53-1950