19th-century Irish Súgán Ash Chair with Plaited Straw Seat

A fine example of a traditional Irish Súgán chair - hand-crafted in ash with a rope-woven seat of plaited straw, and finished with the soft patina of generations of use.

Date: 19th century - The first records of Súgán chairs was listed around 1835 and was continuous until around 1902

Origin: Ireland

Material: Ash with plaited straw seat (Súgán)

Design: Continuous back legs and supports with simple ladder-back form

Construction: Hand-finished cigar-shaped stretchers made with a spoke shave; joints secured with simple joinery and dowels

Finish: Layers of historic paint worn to a mellow, time-softened patina

Seat Height: 47cm (18.5")

Dimensions: H: 85cm (33.5") | W: 42cm (16.5") | D: 35cm (13.8")

Delivery: Not included - please use the Request Delivery Quote feature before completing your order

Heritage & Craftsmanship

The Súgán chair is a distinctive part of Ireland’s rural furniture tradition, its name derived from the Irish word súgán, meaning “straw rope.” The woven seat was typically made from twisted hay, straw, or other locally available fibres, reflecting the resourcefulness of rural communities.

This example is constructed in ash - a strong, flexible timber - with continuous back uprights, a simple ladder-back, and hand-shaped stretchers. The layers of paint, applied and worn over decades, give the chair a depth of colour and texture that only time can create.

Visual Details

The plaited straw seat retains its tactile, organic texture, contrasting with the smooth, worn surfaces of the ash frame. The cigar-shaped stretchers and ladder-back slats are subtly irregular, a hallmark of hand-tool work.

Styling Suggestions

Perfect as a decorative accent in a kitchen, hallway, or garden room, this chair can be appreciated as a piece of folk art as much as a functional seat. It pairs beautifully with rustic, country, or eclectic interiors, and could be styled with a folded throw or small cushion to highlight its form.

Sustainable Style

Choosing antique seating preserves traditional craftsmanship, reduces waste, and brings authentic history into your home.

Purchase with Confidence

Transparent Condition Details: Please examine all photographs carefully for a complete understanding of each item’s condition. These images form a crucial part of our detailed condition report, offering clear insights into the craftsmanship, patina, and quality of this piece.

Trusted Heritage: We are an established and successful business with many happy clients from both trade and private sectors. You are warmly invited to visit our beautiful showroom and shop in West Sussex to experience our collection firsthand.

Delivery: We do not include delivery in our prices, as this depends on factors such as location and access. Options include:

Arrange your own collection from our address

Use the Request Delivery Quote feature on the listing

Email us for combined delivery quotes if purchasing multiple items

Use Proovia Delivery who provide a two-person service

Export/Worldwide Shipping: Please request a quotation from any of the following, quoting the item link:

Alan Smith Europe: info@alansmitheurope.com

Charlie Godwin: guildford@packsend.co.uk

Neil Curl Transport: neil@neilcurltransport.co.uk

Simon Hall Limited: exportdesk@simonhalllimited.com

We do not include delivery in our prices as this is dependent upon many factors such as whether it is mainland or overseas. The following options are available to you:-

• You can arrange your own collection from our address

• You can fill in the delivery request option

• You can email us for further information if there is more than one item

• Proovia Delivery offer a 2 man delivery system