Malcolm Eglin Antiques has dated this piece to the 1850s.
This a delightful example of a quality handmade piece from this period.
It is stamped with letters on underside of chair with what appear to be "L W"
Maximum height 27.5 inches maximum width of seat 13 inches
Augustus Pugin was the leading figure in the revival of the Gothic style which became increasingly important throughout the nineteenth century, gradually replacing Classical styles in popularity. The Arts and Crafts movement has its roots in the Gothic revival and this page gives a brief guide to Gothic style and its influence.Pugin applied his vision to the whole field of design. As well as his work in the design of buildings he designed furniture, and from his architectural practice he also designed and produced stained glass, metalwork, textiles and jewellery. The Gothic revival architects who followed Pugin, notably William Burges and George Edward Street carried on the new approach to furniture design, taking responsibility for designing the building and its internal fittings and furnishings.
The revival of Gothic style was also the work of John Ruskin, an architectural critic who attacked classical architecture because of its aim for perfection and for its demands upon the men who were required, as slaves to build it. For Ruskin, Gothic was the architecture of free craftsmen. Their work being a natural and noble activity where the result might not have a perfect machine finish but it was an honest creation. This notion of natural and honest imperfection was called 'Savageness' and was very influential in the Arts and Crafts movement. Ruskin believed also that human needs should dictate how buildings were designed and craftsmen should be free to adapt and to change rather than follow a rigid style. This principal of 'Changefullness' was also an important influence on Arts and Crafts thinking.
From the Gothic revival we can see important influences on the Arts and Crafts Movement. First, the high value placed on craftsmanship creativity and the view that work should be meaningful in itself. Secondly the emphasis on creative design and importance of functional and purpose rather than decoration. Thirdly the integrity and honesty of construction, which relies upon the natural beauty of materials used in construction. In terms of design, important influences included the view that the structure should be exposed so the ingenuity in creating and holding the structure together can be shown honestly and appreciated. The decoration relied largely on the natural beauty of the materials and also on hand crafted work, with organic forms as decoration, reflecting the handiwork of God.
A wider appeal for the Gothic revival developed in the latter half of the nineteenth century as the interpretation of Gothic was much debated. For those in the avant garde, seeking relief from the oppressive classical tradition the new 'Gothick ' was very appealing as it evoked a medieval sense of barbarism, of heroic endeavour and of the heartiness of 'Merry England' in the middle ages. The single most important figure in the development of Arts and Crafts from this time on was, of course, William Morris.
Malcolm Eglin Antiques has dated this piece to the 1850s.
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Gothic Revival Child's Chair in Style of Pugin. C1850.
