Bergère
1893-1895 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This armchair was designed by George Jack (1855-1932) and manufactured by Morris & Company in about 1893. In the nineteenth century chairs such as this, with caned sides and backs, were referred to as bergere armchairs. This example is closely based on a Regency model and is typical of the sort of furniture Morris & Company were making in the 1890s. According to the Morris and Company catalogue of about 1912 this type of chair was still available for purchase from the firm. The loose cushions of this particular chair are covered in a chintz designed by William Morris called ‘Tulip’.
The chair was given to the Victoria and Albert Museum by Mrs Amy Tozer, the daughter of John Carruthers who was a friend of William Morris and who bought the chair directly from Morris & Company.
The chair was given to the Victoria and Albert Museum by Mrs Amy Tozer, the daughter of John Carruthers who was a friend of William Morris and who bought the chair directly from Morris & Company.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | |
| Brief description | Bergere armchair designed by George Jack, London, 1893-1895, with cushions covered with the 'Tulip' chintz designed by William Morris in 1875. |
| Physical description | Mahogany, with cane sides and loose cushions covered with Tulip chintz. Slightly tapering front legs with spade feet, plain back legs curving backwards. All four feet have brass castors with porcelain wheels. The back legs slope backwards to form the sides of the back which has a horizontal, square section top rail slightly bowed at the centre. The front legs continue straight up to support the arm rests which join the side rails of the back at a curve to merge in to the back side rail which is cut to receive them. The sides back and seat are caned. There are two cushions, square buttoned and covered in chintz for back and seat. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | Designer unknown
Made by Morris & Co., London
Mahogany and cane, cushions in the 'Tulip' chintz designed by William Morris in 1875
This is closely based upon an early nineteenth century original. The minor design changes were probably by George Jack. By the 1890's, many of the pieces of furniture manufactured by Morris and Co. were reproductions of actual Georgian pieces rather than new and original desings. Were this chair to be given cushions covered in leather rather than Morris fabric, it could easily pass as 1810-1820 in date.(1993) |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Mrs Amy Tozer |
| Summary | This armchair was designed by George Jack (1855-1932) and manufactured by Morris & Company in about 1893. In the nineteenth century chairs such as this, with caned sides and backs, were referred to as bergere armchairs. This example is closely based on a Regency model and is typical of the sort of furniture Morris & Company were making in the 1890s. According to the Morris and Company catalogue of about 1912 this type of chair was still available for purchase from the firm. The loose cushions of this particular chair are covered in a chintz designed by William Morris called ‘Tulip’. The chair was given to the Victoria and Albert Museum by Mrs Amy Tozer, the daughter of John Carruthers who was a friend of William Morris and who bought the chair directly from Morris & Company. |
| Bibliographic reference | Parry, Linda, ed. William Morris. London: Philip Wilson Publishers Limited, 1996. 384 p., ill. ISBN 0856674419 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | CIRC.249 to B-1961 |
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| Record created | July 26, 2001 |
| Record URL |
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