Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the Before 1700 period.
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 is not the case with this one. This chair, over 300 years old, with its glorious sculptural quality, is not just a joy to look at but also to use.
As usual with these chairs there are signs of old woodworm, but now defunct.
The crest rail is carved with a rising phoenix, this, and the front rail, are deftly executed with bold cuts of the chisel. This is typical of the sort of carving performed by London chairmakers at this period, by which maximum effect is achieved with the minimum of work.
The cane back has two damages which have old patches. Beneath the later drop in upholstered seat the original caning survives (image 7).
DIMENSIONS: 49 inches tall, 25.5 inches wide, 26.5 inches deep.
PROVENANCE: Old Yorkshire Private Collection.
Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the Before 1700 period.
Roy and nadine precious: specialists in portraiture from the 16th to the 20th century. Established in 1972.
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James II Armchair C.1685.
