Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the 1700s.
This style of cane backed and seated chairs had represented a revolution in seating comfort, but with the disadvantage of fragility.
A surprising number of these chairs still exist (they were made in their thousands) but many are now suitable only for decorative purposes as woodworm, frequent recaning and damage to the joints and the tall backs have rendered them virtually unusable.
This pair have been repaired; all old woodworm is no longer active, there are some small losses and repaired breaks and the later leather covered drop in seats replace the original caning.
Despite these faults these elegant 300 year old chairs, with their glorious sculptural quality, are not just a joy to look at but can be used...with appropriate respect for their age and construction i.e. for perching on, not lounging! Frankly, they are best regarded as 'objets d'art' rather than seat furniture.
DIMENSIONS: 48 inches tall, 19 inches wide.
PROVENANCE: Flaxley Abbey, Gloucestershire. (Images 7 & 8)
Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the 1700s.
Roy and nadine precious: specialists in portraiture from the 16th to the 20th century. Established in 1972.
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Pair of William III Ebonised and Caned Chairs C.1700.
