Chair
ca. 1725-1730 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This type of chair, with a back of S-shaped profile, was known as a ‘bended-back’ chair in the 18th century. The shape was inspired by Chinese chairs, and consequently they were also called ‘Indian’ or ‘India-back’ chairs – India being commonly used to refer to all of South and South East Asia. The first recorded chairs of this type were made in 1717, and by the 1720s they were highly fashionable. This example comes from a set that was probably made for Thomas Watson-Wentworth (later Marquess of Rockingham), soon after he inherited Wentworth Woodhouse, Yorkshire, in 1723. His monogram ‘TW’ is drawn in marquetry in the back.
Very similar marquetry appears on a number of other chairs, which all appear to come from one workshop. These pieces also share certain distinctive technical features, including the use of screws in the construction, which most furniture makers in the 18th century used very sparingly, as they were expensive to manufacture. The maker of this group of pieces has not been firmly identified, but was possibly Henry Williams, who became chairmaker to the Royal Household in 1729.
Very similar marquetry appears on a number of other chairs, which all appear to come from one workshop. These pieces also share certain distinctive technical features, including the use of screws in the construction, which most furniture makers in the 18th century used very sparingly, as they were expensive to manufacture. The maker of this group of pieces has not been firmly identified, but was possibly Henry Williams, who became chairmaker to the Royal Household in 1729.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Walnut and marquetry |
| Brief description | A splat back chair with upholstered seat, square section legs and inlaid marquetry cypher, 'WR', on splat. English c. 1710-15 |
| Physical description | A splat back chair with upholstered seat, square section legs and inlaid marquetry cypher, 'WR', on splat. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | 'T W' Note Monogram drawn in marquetry in the back |
| Historical context | Related chair at Knole (KNO/F/38 -- at top of the Lead Staircase, outside the Cartoon Gallery) In plain walnut (no marquetry), like the related chairs belonging to the Earl of Radnor. The top rail is fixed to the stiles with plugged screws, like W.38-1929. Unlike the V&A chair - and unlike other related chairs so far recorded - this chair has an internal drop-in seat frame, supported on ledges fixed to the seat rails. Height 111 x Width (at front feet) 56 x Depth 60 cm. Height of seat 47 cm. Depth of seat 45 cm (dimensions from Mary Bywater, 22/02/2005) |
| Production | This chair is one of a group that clearly comes from a single workshop. Among the distinctive characeristics (though not all occur in every piece in the group) are the style of the marquetry, with strapwork and monograms; the use of screws in the original construction (both features found in this chair); the use of facings applied over the stuffed seat rails, to create the appearance of a drop-in seat, and evidence that the seats were originally upholstered with a foundation fixed to the underside of the rails. (Evidence for either of the last two features on W.38-1929 has been lost, as this chair has been re-railed). There is some evidence that the maker was Henry Williams, who worked for Sir Jacob de Bouverie, the probable original owner of two chairs in this group at Longford Castle (which do not have marquetry). Williams was also employed by James Dutton at Sherborne, Gloucestershire, the origin of two stools that seem to belong to this group, which are now at Lodge Park (part of the same estate). |
| Summary | This type of chair, with a back of S-shaped profile, was known as a ‘bended-back’ chair in the 18th century. The shape was inspired by Chinese chairs, and consequently they were also called ‘Indian’ or ‘India-back’ chairs – India being commonly used to refer to all of South and South East Asia. The first recorded chairs of this type were made in 1717, and by the 1720s they were highly fashionable. This example comes from a set that was probably made for Thomas Watson-Wentworth (later Marquess of Rockingham), soon after he inherited Wentworth Woodhouse, Yorkshire, in 1723. His monogram ‘TW’ is drawn in marquetry in the back. Very similar marquetry appears on a number of other chairs, which all appear to come from one workshop. These pieces also share certain distinctive technical features, including the use of screws in the construction, which most furniture makers in the 18th century used very sparingly, as they were expensive to manufacture. The maker of this group of pieces has not been firmly identified, but was possibly Henry Williams, who became chairmaker to the Royal Household in 1729. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.38-1929 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | January 17, 2005 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
