Not currently on display at the V&A

Settle

1916 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The settle has a spring-upholstered seat, covered in a thinly striped white and green material. The square front legs are joined by a deep apron-like seat rail, with shaped outline decoration. The front legs are joined to those at the back by slab ends which fill the whole sides and almost reach the ground. Above these slabs are the broad arms: straight on the inside with a deep chamfered curve for comfort towards the back and S-curved on the outside. Their front ends have curved edges decorated with notches. The back legs are deep square members which rise to form the side supports of the back. This is formed as two curved low seat backs joined by a short straight section, the whole filled with a grid of sixty squares, four high and seven wide on each curved seat back and four stacked vertically in the central straight section. The broad member across the back which forms the base of this grid is straight at the front and shaped to follow the curves of the seat backs at the back. The seat backs have each a central cresting in the shape of a triple-stepped ziggurat.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Settle Seat
  • Settle
Materials and techniques
Painted wood, with fabric upholstery
Brief description
Settle designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh for 78 Derngate in Northampton, 1916.
Physical description
The settle has a spring-upholstered seat, covered in a thinly striped white and green material. The square front legs are joined by a deep apron-like seat rail, with shaped outline decoration. The front legs are joined to those at the back by slab ends which fill the whole sides and almost reach the ground. Above these slabs are the broad arms: straight on the inside with a deep chamfered curve for comfort towards the back and S-curved on the outside. Their front ends have curved edges decorated with notches. The back legs are deep square members which rise to form the side supports of the back. This is formed as two curved low seat backs joined by a short straight section, the whole filled with a grid of sixty squares, four high and seven wide on each curved seat back and four stacked vertically in the central straight section. The broad member across the back which forms the base of this grid is straight at the front and shaped to follow the curves of the seat backs at the back. The seat backs have each a central cresting in the shape of a triple-stepped ziggurat.
Dimensions
  • Height: 77.5cm
  • Length: 183cm
  • Depth: 77.5cm
Gallery label
SOFA Design by Charles Rennie Mackintosh (British, 1868-1928) Probably made by German craftsmen interned as enemy aliens on the Isle of Man Painted wood, upholstered (originally stained black and wax polished) 1916 Made for the hall, 78 Derngate, Northampton, the home of Mr and Mrs Bassett-Lowke. Given by Mrs F.J. Bassett-Lowke W.9-1970(1989-2006)
Credit line
Given by Mrs F. J. Bassett-Lowke
Object history
The settle was commissioned by W. J. Bassett-Lowke for the hall of his house in Northampton, at 78 Derngate and was probably made by German prisoners of war being held on the Isle of Man.
Collection
Accession number
W.9:1, 2-1970

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Record createdOctober 31, 2001
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest