Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the 17th Century.
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 re-caning, 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, the previous owners having had it re-caned. As usual with these chairs there are signs of old woodworm, but now defunct.
The crest rail is carved with then highly fashionable royal crown. 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.
DIMENSIONS: 48.5 inches tall, 17.5 inches wide, 18.5 inches seat height.
PROVENANCE: Lowfold Hall, Roberttown, Yorkshire. (see image 6)
Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the 17th Century.
Roy and nadine precious: specialists in portraiture from the 16th to the 20th century. Established in 1972.
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A Carved James II Chair C.1685.
