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sellingantiques.co.uk
ID #SA1190259
FOR SALE
£465
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A Morris and Co Sussex Chair, Later White Painted with Original Rush Seat, 19thc
Gilt and Gesso
for sale €544     $591
£465

Gilt and Gesso

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2023
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A Morris and Co Sussex Chair, Later White Painted with Original Rush Seat, 19thc

19th century
For Sale by Gilt and Gesso
Description

A Morris and Co Sussex Chair, Later White Painted with Original Rush Seat, 19thC.

A late 19th century Morris and Co Sussex Chair, the beech wood frame later painted white and featuring its original rush seat.

We believe the white paint to be applied some time mid to 3rd quarter 20th century with traces of an earlier red beneath.

A superbly stylish chair, considered a design icon and enduring classic amongst collectors and interior decorators, an example is in the permanent display collection at the VandA.

It is quite common for these early models to have historic repairs as the beechwood frames are delicate, this is no exception, see photos for a repair to a rear leg, each leg has been built up apx 2 inches which probably implies it was cut down at some earlier point, again not uncommon.

The chair is structurally excellent and stable, with no loose joints or wobbles.

Dimensions

Height 89cm

Width 57cm

Depth 47cm

Please request more photos and any questions invited.

Free collection from Lewes, East Sussex.

U.K. delivery available.

We operate a weekly delivery service into London and surrounding areas of the M25 for only £40 plus any relevant congestion charges, please enquire.

We can recommend a whole of U.K. weekly delivery service for £65, please enquire for Scotland.

Physical Dimensions
Height
89cm (35.04")
Width
57cm (22.44")
Depth
47cm (18.50")
Declaration

Gilt and Gesso has dated this Morris Sussex Rush Armchair to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1190259
Description
A Morris and Co Sussex Chair, Later White Painted with Original Rush Seat, 19thC.
“
A late 19th century Morris and Co Sussex Chair, the beech wood frame later painted white and featuring its original rush seat.
Gilt and Gesso
fig 1. A white painted 19th-century turned wood armchair with a spindle back, curved armrests, and a natural woven rush seat.
fig 1. A Morris and Co Sussex Chair, Later White Painted with Original Rush Seat, 19thc

We believe the white paint to be applied some time mid to 3rd quarter 20th century with traces of an earlier red beneath.

A superbly stylish chair, considered a design icon and enduring classic amongst collectors and interior decorators, an example is in the permanent display collection at the VandA.

fig 2. A white painted 19th-century turned wood armchair with a spindle back, curved armrests, and a natural woven rush seat.
fig 2. A Morris and Co Sussex Chair, Later White Painted with Original Rush Seat, 19thc

It is quite common for these early models to have historic repairs as the beechwood frames are delicate, this is no exception, see photos for a repair to a rear leg, each leg has been built up apx 2 inches which probably implies it was cut down at some earlier point, again not uncommon.

fig 3. A white painted 19th-century turned wood armchair with a spindle back, curved armrests, and a natural woven rush seat.
fig 3. A Morris and Co Sussex Chair, Later White Painted with Original Rush Seat, 19thc

The chair is structurally excellent and stable, with no loose joints or wobbles.

Dimensions

Height 89cm

Width 57cm

Depth 47cm

Please request more photos and any questions invited.

Free collection from Lewes, East Sussex.

fig 4. A white painted 19th-century turned wood armchair with a spindle back, curved armrests, and a natural woven rush seat.
fig 4. A Morris and Co Sussex Chair, Later White Painted with Original Rush Seat, 19thc

U.K. delivery available.

We operate a weekly delivery service into London and surrounding areas of the M25 for only £40 plus any relevant congestion charges, please enquire.

We can recommend a whole of U.K. weekly delivery service for £65, please enquire for Scotland.

Height
89cm (35.04")
Width
57cm (22.44")
Depth
47cm (18.50")
Date of Manufacture

Gilt and Gesso has dated this Morris Sussex Rush Armchair to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1190259
Gilt and Gesso
Sellingantiques verified Since May 2023
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Gilt and Gesso Profile Page

Relevant Links
PDF SHARE
SAVE
A white painted 19th-century turned wood armchair with a spindle back, curved armrests, and a natural woven rush seat.
1 / 16
Archive I A white painted 19th-century turned wood armchair with a spindle back, curved armrests, and a natural woven rush seat.

A Morris and Co Sussex Chair, Later White Painted with Original Rush Seat, 19thc

Archive II A white painted 19th-century turned wood armchair with a spindle back, curved armrests, and a natural woven rush seat. View II
Archive III A white painted 19th-century turned wood armchair with a spindle back, curved armrests, and a natural woven rush seat. View III
Archive IV A white painted 19th-century turned wood armchair with a spindle back, curved armrests, and a natural woven rush seat. View IV
Archive V A white painted 19th-century turned wood armchair with a spindle back, curved armrests, and a natural woven rush seat. View V
Archive VI A white painted 19th-century turned wood armchair with a spindle back, curved armrests, and a natural woven rush seat. View VI
Archive VII A white painted 19th-century turned wood armchair with a spindle back, curved armrests, and a natural woven rush seat. View VII
Archive VIII A white painted 19th-century turned wood armchair with a spindle back, curved armrests, and a natural woven rush seat. View VIII
Archive IX A white painted 19th-century turned wood armchair with a spindle back, curved armrests, and a natural woven rush seat. View IX
Archive X A white painted 19th-century turned wood armchair with a spindle back, curved armrests, and a natural woven rush seat. View X
Archive XI A white painted 19th-century turned wood armchair with a spindle back, curved armrests, and a natural woven rush seat. View XI
Archive XII A white painted 19th-century turned wood armchair with a spindle back, curved armrests, and a natural woven rush seat. View XII
Archive XIII A white painted 19th-century turned wood armchair with a spindle back, curved armrests, and a natural woven rush seat. View XIII
Archive XIV A white painted 19th-century turned wood armchair with a spindle back, curved armrests, and a natural woven rush seat. View XIV
Archive XV A white painted 19th-century turned wood armchair with a spindle back, curved armrests, and a natural woven rush seat. View XV
Archive XVI A white painted 19th-century turned wood armchair with a spindle back, curved armrests, and a natural woven rush seat. View XVI
Enlarged Archival View

Gilt and Gesso
Telephone 07904 423385
Location
East Sussex
BN21 1DJ
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/giltgesso
Verified Since May 2023
Items For Sale 65
Items Sold 305
Gilt and Gesso
Verified Since May 2023
View Dealer Info
Location: East Sussex, BN21 1DJ , United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/giltgesso
Verified
May 2023
For Sale
65
Sold
305
A white painted 19th-century turned wood armchair with a spindle back, curved armrests, and a natural woven rush seat.
A Morris and Co Sussex Chair, Later White Painted with Original Rush Seat, 19thC
Ref: SA1190259
A white painted 19th-century turned wood armchair with a spindle back, curved armrests, and a natural woven rush seat.
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Archival Detail

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FAQs

The Sussex chair design originated in the mid-19th century, inspired by traditional country furniture found in Sussex, England. William Morris and Philip Webb adapted the design for Morris & Co. in the 1860s, producing lightweight, affordable seating that became a staple of the Arts and Crafts movement.

Authentic Sussex chairs were constructed using turned beechwood frames, which were often stained black, dark green, or painted white. The seats were hand-woven using natural freshwater rush, providing flexibility and structural support.

Authentic 19th-century examples feature lightweight turned wooden frames, slender spindle backrests, and hand-woven rush seats wrapped directly around the frame rails. Look for faint signs of original dark stain or early paint layers under subsequent coats, alongside hand-turned frame joinery.

A painted Sussex chair works well as an accent seat in a hallway, bedroom corner, or beside a reading nook. The contrast between painted woodwork and natural woven rush connects traditional craft with minimal or modern country aesthetic schemes.

To preserve a rush seat, clean it gently using a soft brush or vacuum with a brush attachment to remove dust. Keep the chair away from direct heat sources to prevent the natural fibers from drying out and cracking, and lightly mist with water occasionally if the environment is extremely dry.
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