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ID #SA1028836
FOR SALE
£260
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Pokerwork Stool with 'Touch Me Wha Daur' - 19th Century - Scotland
Vicky Thomas Antiques
for sale €304     $330
£260

Vicky Thomas Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Feb 2022
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Pokerwork Stool with 'Touch Me Wha Daur' - 19th Century - Scotland

19th century
Description

Here is a charming three splayed legged stool with ebonised reeded legs, the dished seat decorated with thistles and the motto 'Touch me Wha Daur' meaning 'Touch me Who Dares'.

The motto and the thistle emblem reputedly date back to 1263 when the thistle played an important role in the victory of Scotland's army led by King Alexander the Third over King Haakon of Norway's Viking army when a Viking inadvertently stepped on a spiky thistle and cried out in pain, thus alerting Scotland to their presence and ensuring a subsequent victory,

- making the thistle the guardian emblem of Scotland.

The stool is signed underneath 'W.C Murtin, 139 Lachu Rd, Dundee'.

As you can see, the stool bears the battle scars of a long and happy life by the fireside, but for me personally I think this adds to its charm and considerable character!

It stands 35cm high, and the seat is 30cm wide.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch if I can offer any more information, or photographs.

I offer free postage throughout the UK. and am very happy to help with quotes for shipping abroad.

Physical Dimensions
Height
35cm (13.78")
Width
30cm (11.81")
Declaration

Vicky Thomas Antiques has dated this Antique Scottish Pokerwork Stool to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1028836
Description
Here is a charming three splayed legged stool with ebonised reeded legs, the dished seat decorated with thistles and the motto 'Touch me Wha Daur' meaning 'Touch me Who Dares'.

The motto and the thistle emblem reputedly date back to 1263 when the thistle played an important role in the victory of Scotland's army led by King Alexander the Third over King Haakon of Norway's Viking army when a Viking inadvertently stepped on a spiky thistle and cried out in pain, thus alerting Scotland to their presence and ensuring a subsequent victory,

fig 1. A 19th-century Scottish tripod stool crafted from dark brown wood with a circular seat featuring burnt pokerwork text and a Scottish thistle motif.
fig 1. Pokerwork Stool with 'Touch Me Wha Daur' - 19th Century - Scotland

making the thistle the guardian emblem of Scotland.

The stool is signed underneath 'W.C Murtin, 139 Lachu Rd, Dundee'.

“
As you can see, the stool bears the battle scars of a long and happy life by the fireside, but for me personally I think this adds to its charm and considerable character!.
Vicky Thomas Antiques
fig 2. A 19th-century Scottish tripod stool crafted from dark brown wood with a circular seat featuring burnt pokerwork text and a Scottish thistle motif.
fig 2. Pokerwork Stool with 'Touch Me Wha Daur' - 19th Century - Scotland

It stands 35cm high, and the seat is 30cm wide.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch if I can offer any more information, or photographs.

I offer free postage throughout the UK. and am very happy to help with quotes for shipping abroad.

Height
35cm (13.78")
Width
30cm (11.81")
Date of Manufacture

Vicky Thomas Antiques has dated this Antique Scottish Pokerwork Stool to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1028836
Vicky Thomas Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Feb 2022
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Vicky Thomas Antiques Profile Page

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A 19th-century Scottish tripod stool crafted from dark brown wood with a circular seat featuring burnt pokerwork text and a Scottish thistle motif.
1 / 8
Archive I A 19th-century Scottish tripod stool crafted from dark brown wood with a circular seat featuring burnt pokerwork text and a Scottish thistle motif.

Pokerwork Stool with 'Touch Me Wha Daur' - 19th Century - Scotland

Archive II A 19th-century Scottish tripod stool crafted from dark brown wood with a circular seat featuring burnt pokerwork text and a Scottish thistle motif. View II
Archive III A 19th-century Scottish tripod stool crafted from dark brown wood with a circular seat featuring burnt pokerwork text and a Scottish thistle motif. View III
Archive IV A 19th-century Scottish tripod stool crafted from dark brown wood with a circular seat featuring burnt pokerwork text and a Scottish thistle motif. View IV
Archive V A 19th-century Scottish tripod stool crafted from dark brown wood with a circular seat featuring burnt pokerwork text and a Scottish thistle motif. View V
Archive VI A 19th-century Scottish tripod stool crafted from dark brown wood with a circular seat featuring burnt pokerwork text and a Scottish thistle motif. View VI
Archive VII A 19th-century Scottish tripod stool crafted from dark brown wood with a circular seat featuring burnt pokerwork text and a Scottish thistle motif. View VII
Archive VIII A 19th-century Scottish tripod stool crafted from dark brown wood with a circular seat featuring burnt pokerwork text and a Scottish thistle motif. View VIII
Enlarged Archival View

Vicky Thomas Antiques
Telephone 07718 101220
Location
Manchester
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/vickythomasantiques
Verified Since Feb 2022
Items For Sale 35
Items Sold 131
Vicky Thomas Antiques
Verified Since Feb 2022
View Dealer Info
Location: Manchester, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/vickythomasantiques
Verified
Feb 2022
For Sale
35
Sold
131
A 19th-century Scottish tripod stool crafted from dark brown wood with a circular seat featuring burnt pokerwork text and a Scottish thistle motif.
POKERWORK STOOL WITH 'TOUCH ME WHA DAUR' - 19TH CENTURY - SCOTLAND
Ref: SA1028836
A 19th-century Scottish tripod stool crafted from dark brown wood with a circular seat featuring burnt pokerwork text and a Scottish thistle motif.
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Archival Detail

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FAQs

Pokerwork, also known as pyrography, is the technique of decorating wood by applying heat with heated metal tools to burn designs into the surface. In 19th-century Scotland, folk artisans decorated domestic wooden items, such as stools and boxes, with regional mottos, thistles, and traditional patterns.

These stools were traditionally constructed from locally sourced hardwoods or softwoods like oak, pine, or birch. The construction utilised turned splayed legs fitted directly into a thick solid timber seat using wedged mortise and tenon joinery without metal fasteners.

Authentic 19th-century pokerwork displays varying depths of carbonation and subtle burn lines typical of hand-applied hot iron tools. Signs of period age include natural wood shrinkage along grain lines, surface patination, and minor wear around the edges consistent with historical domestic use.

A small tripod stool functions as a versatile accent piece, serving as an informal side table, plant pedestal, or hearth seat. Placing it alongside contemporary upholstered furniture creates texture contrast while bringing historical character to living rooms, entryways, or bathroom spaces.

Maintain pokerwork furniture by dusting regularly with a soft dry cloth and applying a clear beeswax polish periodically to preserve the timber. Keep the piece away from direct heat sources and high humidity to prevent timber warping or deterioration of the burnt detail.
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