Object Type
This chair-back dates from about 1540. It appears to have been assembled together with other mid-16th-century elements,including the side blocks, to make this chair. The seat and the apron below were probably replaced in the 19th century. The chair is thought to have have been used as a dining room or library chair, although in the guise of a throne.
Decoration
The outer edges of the chair-back are decorated with a Gothic crest, while the central panel with the profile portrait of female figure in a medallion is in the manner of the mid-16th-century 'Romayne' (Roman) decorations at Falkland Palace in Fife and Stirling Castle (both in Scotland), and the Salkeld Screen in Carlisle Cathedral, Cumbria.
People
This chair is thought to have formed part of an antiquarian collection and may have belonged to Sir William Fraser (1816-1898). This leading Scottish genealogist owned similar furniture, which was recorded in a photograph of a room of his house at 32 Castle St., Edinburgh, taken soon after his death.
Physical description
Armchair of carved oak of box-type with rectangular back, the top carved with a Gothic ogee crocketed arch, the upper part of which is broken away, the centre of the panel carved with a woman's profile head and bust in Renaissance costume within a roundel from which springs Gothic foliage. The uprights framing the back are carved with Gothic lancets and surmounted by octagonal finials which may have formed the bases for figures or heraldic beasts. The arms are carved on the outside with eagle's wings and the eagle motif is continued on the legs which terminate in claws. The arms are enclosed, the upper edge is carved with moulding, the lower edge with a Gothic ogee arch with trefoil cusping. The upper part of the front legs is recessed and carved with lancets ending in an octagonal finial en-suite with upper terminals of the back legs. The seat is plain, the rectangular front rail is carved with a moustachioed winged head.
Place of Origin
Scotland, Great Britain (probably, made)
Date
ca. 1540 (made)
Artist/maker
unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Carved oak
Dimensions
Height: 108 cm, Width: 65.5 cm, Depth: 45 cm, Height: 45 cm seat
Object history note
The chair was part of the 'remarkable collection of antique Scotch furniture and relics which belonged to the late Sir William Fraser' sold at Dowell's saleroom in Edinburgh on 3 December 1898. It fetched 50 guineas. Sir William Fraser (1816-1898) was Assistant Keeper of the Records of Scotland and left a bequest for the first ever Chair of Scottish History at the University of Edinburgh.
Scottish armchair, purchased from Muirhead Moffat & Co, Glasgow, 15 Nov. 1950
R.P. 50/2897
Listed on Purchase Form
"Oak box-chair - - first half of 16th century Scottish - - £150"
4/10/50 Letter, Muirhead Moffat & Co. to V & A
enclosing photographs of an "extremely rare oak chair " and requesting information on its history. Their own opinion is that the chair is "in its original condition with the exception of the worn feet and a repair to part of the front leg. The colour is good and the chair is heavy". They suggest that the chair is "of the transitional period from the Gothic to Renaissance, the Gothic style being determined by the gables and finials, and the Italian influence shown by the back and back-rail". They date the chair 1525-30 but have been unsuccessful in tracing its history.
Ralph Edwards Response
that the armchair belongs to a type known as a "box chair" made on the continent and in England in the early years of the 16th century. He questions whether this chair might not be a composite but expresses interest in purchasing it if it is original.
Muirhead Reply
repeats their conviction that the chair is in its original form although the back leg has been restored and one or two other minor repairs carried out. They point out interesting carvings of a hen's leg on the front leg and a hen's wing on the side of the chair. They suggest a purchase price of £150 and offer to send the chair to the Museum for inspection.
After sending the chair to the V & A, Muirhead
reports that they have been in contact with the previous owner but "all she can say is that it had come out of a store into which it was put from an old house".
In requesting approval for purchase from the Director, Edwards states
"This is a box-chair of great quality and interest. It is carved with a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance…probably dates from about 1540-50 even allowing something for a 'time-lag' in Scotland. I know of no close parallel among the few genuine chairs of this type and age…..The chair is certainly genuine…repairs are relatively slight".
n.b. the photographs of the chair from 1950 are in the R.P. file.
Descriptive line
Armchair of carved oak probably made in Scotland about 1540
Labels and date
British Galleries:
The female head shown in profile is typical of Renaissance ornament which had a strong impact in Scotland, partly because of the close cultural ties with France. The style is close to woodwork made for the Scottish royal palaces of Falkland and Stirling about 1540. The posts of the chair are in an older style, with Gothic tracery. [27/03/2003]
Production Note
Made ca. 1540, with 19th-century additions
Categories
Furniture; British Galleries
Collection code
FWK
