Nicholas Tempest has dated this Antique Beech Chapel Chair to the 1870s.
The chair has a curved top back splat upon which "St. Paul's" is carved. This example made in the workshops in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.
This piece dates to the 1870's and was sold through the Cathedral to raise funds for restoration.
A similar example can be found in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
They were originally sold by St. Paul's Cathedral, City of London, in 1974 to raise funds for restoration of the Cathedral.
A piece of social history
It was made in High Wycombe, probably at Walter Skull’s factory in the 1870s.
The workers who made the rush seats were known as ‘matters’. Before the 1880s, when local women could still find work as lace makers, most chair seat matters were men. As the hand-made lace industry declined, women began to make rush seats, and from around 1880 onwards, most matters were women.
Original rush woven seat
Height 80cm
Sturdy condition
I am selling 2 of these chairs in separate listings
Please contact me for shipping costs
Nicholas Tempest has dated this Antique Beech Chapel Chair to the 1870s.
Nik tempest is UK based shop specialising in fine antique silver as well as asian art, luxury interiors and objects of vertu.
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Nicholas Tempest Profile Page
Antique 19th Century St Pauls Cathedral London Chapel Chair Beech with Rush Seat 1
