Chair thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Chair

1660-1720 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is an example of the lighter type of chair which began to be made from about 1650 onwards. After that date chairs gradually replaced stools for use at the dining table. Chairs made without upholstery were more common in the north of England; the shape of this chair-back suggests that it was made in the South Lancashire or North Cheshire area. In the south of England upholstered 'backstools' were more common.

On loan to Woolsthorpe Manor (National Trust).


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Carved and turned oak
Brief description
Oak, with arched top and bobbin-turned spindles, front legs and stretcher.
Physical description
Oak chair with lunette arched top. The back uprights with inward faciing scroll finials, the upper part of the open back with five bobbin-turned spindles. The front legs and single, high front stretcher are bobbin-turned. The plain board seat has moulded edges.

Modifications
Dark stain. Glued repairs.
Dimensions
  • Height: 109cm
  • Width: 48.5cm
  • Depth: 42cm
  • Height: 46cm (to top of seat rail)
taken from object
Style
Object history
Bought for £8. 10s from Mr R Shenker of 350 Kensington High St. London. (A file note (9/6/1938) records that Mr Shenker had formerly been a well-known dealer in oak furniture with premises in the Brompton Road, but was closing down at the time of this purchase, and offering several pieces at ‘bargain’ prices.)

On loan to Woolsthorpe Manor (downstairs parlour), 2014.

A near pair to W.31-1938 (slight differences in the spindles and dimensions).
This chair, or another very similar is illustrated in Victor Chinnery, Oak Furniture, The British Tradition (Woodbridge, 1979), fig. 4:161

Summary
This is an example of the lighter type of chair which began to be made from about 1650 onwards. After that date chairs gradually replaced stools for use at the dining table. Chairs made without upholstery were more common in the north of England; the shape of this chair-back suggests that it was made in the South Lancashire or North Cheshire area. In the south of England upholstered 'backstools' were more common.

On loan to Woolsthorpe Manor (National Trust).
Collection
Accession number
W.31-1938

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Record createdMarch 11, 2003
Record URL
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