High-backed armchair
Category
Furniture
Date
circa 1700
Materials
Walnut, beech frame, textile
Measurements
132 x 65 x 66 cm
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Dyrham, Gloucestershire
NT 453077.1
Summary
One of a pair of walnut high back open armchairs, English, circa 1700 The padded back with arched top rail and shaped moulded arms with scroll terminals which are held by scrolled horsebone supports, the overstuffed seat raised on four conforming angled horsebone legs tied by a shaped moulded X stretcher centred by a finial and terminating on gadrooned feet.
Full description
These chairs were included in the 1703 inventory of Dyrham where they were described as '2 velvet chairs with gold ffringe and covers' recorded in the Ante Room below stairs. The combination of the out-turned legs and supports combined with the undulating cross stretcher is very unusual and derives from French designs which became popular in England after 1700. The patterned silk upholstery is not original. See: Bowett, Adam 'English Furniture 1660-1714' ACC 2002 pg.249
Provenance
Indigenous collection purchased by Ministry of Works and given to Dyrham Park in 1961.
References
Bowett 2002: Adam Bowett, English Furniture 1660-1714, 2002, pg.249