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Armchair

Armchair

  • Place of origin:

    England, Great Britain (probably, made)

  • Date:

    1685-1693 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Carved and turned walnut, with caned panels

  • Museum number:

    702-1899

  • Gallery location:

    British Galleries, room 56d, case 10

  • Download image

Object Type
This armchair is typical of the style of the 1680s, with elaborate carving and a high, caned back and seat. Almost all the parts are carved in the form of the letter S, apart from the sides of the chair-back and some of the stretchers below the seat.

Design & Designing
The decoration on the stretcher between the front legs, as with many chairs of this date, is identical to that running along the top of the chair-back. It is formed of two scrolls framing a crowned rose. Roses and crowns were frequently used in this way on chairs, to suggest loyalty to the King and country. The rose was the symbol of England.

Materials & Making
Caned chair seats and backs were introduced in Britain in the 1660s. The fashion derived from imported Indian chairs, and the cane was imported from East Asia by the East India Company. Cane was cheap and chairs with cane seats tended to be light and portable. Seat or 'squab' cushions were generally used over the cane, for comfort and to protect the cane.

Place of Origin

England, Great Britain (probably, made)

Date

1685-1693 (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Carved and turned walnut, with caned panels

Marks and inscriptions

'T.B.'

Dimensions

Height: 125.5 cm, Width: 60 cm, Depth: 49.5 cm, Height: 41 cm seat

Object history note

Armchair purchased from Ernest Streeter

Notes from R.P. 1899/90132

Listed on report of receipt of 16 July 1899
"1 Arm Chair, carved wood with rush seat and cane back, ornamental with a Rose and Crown (chipped & seat damaged)".

3/7/99 Minute paper
This is a good example of an English chair of the second half of the 17th century and would be a desirable purchase at a more reasonable price. Suggests £15.

No further info. on R.P.

Descriptive line

Armchair - caned, England, 1685-1693

Labels and date

British Galleries:
Caned chairs, introduced in the 1660s were inspired by Indian ebony chairs with caned seats. This one is typical of the late 1680s with its carved S scrolls. The back uprights and stretchers were made by turning on a lathe. The crowned rose on the front stretcher and cresting of the back represents loyalty to the British monarchy. [27/03/2003]

Categories

Furniture; Woodwork

Collection code

FWK

Download image
Qr_O77701
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