Elaborate carved oak armchair. The back panel decorated with an inlaid design of flowers within a carved and applied arch. English, probably 1650-75, possibly Yorkshire

The front legs are of baluster form and apparently of a fruitwood such as pear or apple. The back legs are of square section and prolonged to form the uprights. The centre of the back panel is decorated with an inlaid design of flowers framed within a carved and applied archway. The uprights are decorated with split turned ornaments (possibly added). There is a cresting, composed of an acorn terminal and two scrolls. Each of the arms, terminates in a scroll, supported on a turned baluster. The board seat has been fitted around the front arm supports. The acorn finials modern additions.

Given by Brigadier W. E. Clark CMG, DSO, through The Art Fund

Armchairs early 17th century, gift of Brig. W E Clark 6/12/50

Notes from R.P. 49/1588 & R.P. 49/1588

Gift Approval Form
lists as
" Arm-chair - Oak, English, early 17th century W66-1950
" Arm-chair - Oak with inlaid decoration, English early 17th century W67-1950

31/1/51 Letter Edwards (Woodwork) to Meldrum (NACF)
describes the chairs:
"Two seventeenth century oak chairs. The earlier of the two dates from towards the end of James I's reign. The back panel is divided by mouldings into geometrically-shaped compartments, which are filled with foliate sprays carved with unusual delicacy. Recumbent female figures flank a finial on the cresting, and the legs and arm-supports are of fluted baluster from with Ionic capitals - an unusual feature on chairs. The other dates from nearer the middle of the century, and the back panel is decorated with an inlaid pattern of flowers."

File note (by R. Edwards?)
explains that Clark "does not greatly care for 'palace' furniture, preferring country-house furniture of the highest quality…".

Historical significance: Large numbers of elaborately decorated armchairs of this type were produced in the late 16th and 17th centuries. They were usually described as 'great chairs' or 'chairs of ease' in contemporary inventories.

W.67-1950