Coronation chair
W. Hands & Son Ltd., High Wycombe
Category
Furniture
Date
1953
Materials
Limed oak, velvet, gold braid
Measurements
86 x 48 x 39 cm
Order this imageCollection
Berrington Hall, Herefordshire
NT 617624.3
Summary
A Coronation chair used at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on 2 June 1953 in Westminster Abbey. With blue velvet back and seat, on limed oak square legs. On the back, top left the Royal monogram E II R below a crown is stitched in gold and there is gold braiding on both the back and around the seat. Also stamped 1953 (below a crown) ER CORONATION and W HANDS & SONS LTD to the underside of the seat rail.
Full description
W. Hands and Son Ltd. of High Wycombe advertised themselves as 'Makers of Reproduction chairs, Jacobean oak and mahogany Dining Room Suites, satin and inlaid mahogany Drawing Room Suites' in 1911. The firm were commissioned to make the 1953 Coronation chairs for Peers and Peeresses. The blue velvet upholstery was made at Listers Mills in Bradford, Yorkshire. After the ceremony those who had occupied the chairs were given the opportunity to buy them.
Provenance
Purchased by the National Trust from The Estate of Lord Cawley in 2001.
Marks and inscriptions
On underside of seat rail: 1953 ER (crown) CORONATION W HANDS & SONS LTD
Makers and roles
W. Hands & Son Ltd., High Wycombe, manufacturer