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ID #SA1227668
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£1,250
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17th Century Walnut Armchair Circa 1690s
For sale by School House Antiques
Id #SA1227668
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17th Century Walnut Armchair Circa 1690s

17th century
Description

This is an exceptional caned high back walnut armchair from circa 1690, made in London during the William and Mary period. It features a caned back and seat, flamboyant sweeping arms, turned finials, and beautifully turned and carved back with exceptional quality carving. This would have been a high-end status piece when originally made. It has a lovely original patina with a beautiful warm colour. There are expected signs of age and use totally acceptable on furniture of this age, also showing its originality . The chair has no loose joints but the frame. gives slightly when sitting, which is completely normal for a chair of this age. It is totally usable with care. I would recommend using a cushion when in use to prevent damaging the cane work. It comes with a red velvet cushion seat that can be used and sent with the chair if required. The chair has turned front stretchers and H-shaped underframes, all original. The front stretcher has carved detail, typical of William and Mary furniture, adding to its quality and status.

The fact that this chair is actually comfortable to sit in is noteworthy. The quality of the carving and turning, together with the overall design, sets it apart from the average William and Mary armchair. The raked back leans backward rather than remaining in the usual straighter, more upright position.

Dimensions: 74 cm width by 67 cm depth by 138 cm high. Seat measures 42 cm by 42 cm, with a seat height of 42 cm from floor without cushion.

Declaration

School House Antiques has dated this Carolean Caned Walnut Armchair to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1227668
Dealers Notes

More pictures available upon request. Worldwide delivery available, please enquire for an estimate.

Description
This is an exceptional caned high back walnut armchair from circa 1690, made in London during the William and Mary period.
“
It features a caned back and seat, flamboyant sweeping arms, turned finials, and beautifully turned and carved back with exceptional quality carving.
School House Antiques

This would have been a high-end status piece when originally made. It has a lovely original patina with a beautiful warm colour. There are expected signs of age and use totally acceptable on furniture of this age, also showing its originality . The chair has no loose joints but the frame. gives slightly when sitting, which is completely normal for a chair of this age. It is totally usable with care. I would recommend using a cushion when in use to prevent damaging the cane work. It comes with a red velvet cushion seat that can be used and sent with the chair if required. The chair has turned front stretchers and H-shaped underframes, all original. The front stretcher has carved detail, typical of William and Mary furniture, adding to its quality and status.

fig 1. A late 17th-century Carolean dark walnut armchair featuring an intricately carved cresting rail, high caned back panel, curved arms, and turned legs.
fig 1. 17th Century Walnut Armchair Circa 1690s

The fact that this chair is actually comfortable to sit in is noteworthy. The quality of the carving and turning, together with the overall design, sets it apart from the average William and Mary armchair. The raked back leans backward rather than remaining in the usual straighter, more upright position.

Dimensions: 74 cm width by 67 cm depth by 138 cm high. Seat measures 42 cm by 42 cm, with a seat height of 42 cm from floor without cushion.

Date of Manufacture

School House Antiques has dated this Carolean Caned Walnut Armchair to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1227668
School House Antiques
School House Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2021
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the School House Antiques Profile Page

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A late 17th-century Carolean dark walnut armchair featuring an intricately carved cresting rail, high caned back panel, curved arms, and turned legs.
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Archive I A late 17th-century Carolean dark walnut armchair featuring an intricately carved cresting rail, high caned back panel, curved arms, and turned legs.

17th Century Walnut Armchair Circa 1690s

Archive II A late 17th-century Carolean dark walnut armchair featuring an intricately carved cresting rail, high caned back panel, curved arms, and turned legs. View II
Archive III A late 17th-century Carolean dark walnut armchair featuring an intricately carved cresting rail, high caned back panel, curved arms, and turned legs. View III
Archive IV A late 17th-century Carolean dark walnut armchair featuring an intricately carved cresting rail, high caned back panel, curved arms, and turned legs. View IV
Archive V A late 17th-century Carolean dark walnut armchair featuring an intricately carved cresting rail, high caned back panel, curved arms, and turned legs. View V
Archive VI A late 17th-century Carolean dark walnut armchair featuring an intricately carved cresting rail, high caned back panel, curved arms, and turned legs. View VI
Archive VII A late 17th-century Carolean dark walnut armchair featuring an intricately carved cresting rail, high caned back panel, curved arms, and turned legs. View VII
Archive VIII A late 17th-century Carolean dark walnut armchair featuring an intricately carved cresting rail, high caned back panel, curved arms, and turned legs. View VIII
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Telephone 07498 776 944
Location
Hertfordshire
United Kingdom
Verified Since Oct 2021
Items For Sale 60
Items Sold 171
School House Antiques
School House Antiques
Verified Since Oct 2021
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Location: Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Verified
Oct 2021
For Sale
60
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171
A late 17th-century Carolean dark walnut armchair featuring an intricately carved cresting rail, high caned back panel, curved arms, and turned legs.
17th century Walnut armchair circa 1690s
Ref: SA1227668
A late 17th-century Carolean dark walnut armchair featuring an intricately carved cresting rail, high caned back panel, curved arms, and turned legs.
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectArmchairs
  • Period17th century
  • StyleCarolean
  • MaterialWalnut, Cane
  • ColourDark Brown
  • MotifsCane back, Scrollwork cresting, Turned uprights, Scroll arms

This seventeenth-century Carolean armchair belongs to the William and Mary period, originating from London circa 1690. Constructed from dark brown walnut and cane, the piece displays a high back panel featuring an intricately carved scrollwork cresting, accompanied by turned uprights, finials, and curved scroll arms. The timber exhibits a warm colour with an original patina alongside expected signs of age and use. A red velvet cushion is included for the seat, which rests above turned front stretchers and an H-shaped underframe decorated with carving. Dimensions measure 74 cm in width, 67 cm in depth, and 138 cm in height, with a seat measuring 42 cm by 42 cm and a seat height of 42 cm from the floor without the cushion. Suitable for use in a gentleman's library or a formal study, the armchair provides a functional seating option when handled with care. The frame remains structurally sound with no loose joints, though it gives slightly when sat upon. Placing the provided red velvet cushion on the seat protects the cane work during regular use. The raked back leans backward to offer a comfortable seating position, combining historical status with practical utility in a domestic setting.

Carolean furniture, originating during the Restoration period of King Charles II, is defined by tall proportions, intricate scroll carving, turned supports, and the introduction of woven cane seats and back panels influenced by Continental fashions.

Chairs from this period were predominantly crafted from solid walnut or oak, using hand-cut mortise and tenon joinery secured with wooden pegs, combined with natural split-cane weaving for backrests and seats.

Authentic pieces feature irregular hand-carved details, evidence of hand-saw marks, wooden peg joinery, natural timber oxidisation, and signs of age-appropriate wear on lower stretchers and armrests.

A carved high-back armchair functions as a focal accent piece when set against neutral walls in an entryway, library, or living room, creating contrast alongside contemporary minimalist furnishings.

Preserve walnut timber by applying high-grade beeswax polish along the grain and keeping the piece away from direct heat sources. Maintain cane panels by maintaining moderate ambient humidity to prevent brittle splitting.
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