What periods do these chairs cover?

The selection spans from the nineteenth century through the Edwardian era and into the 1920s. Most pieces reflect Victorian and early twentieth-century manufacturing methods, including both English vernacular joinery and Austrian bentwood production.

How were bentwood chairs made?

Makers steamed solid beechwood until pliable, then bent it into curves using metal straps and wooden forms. This innovative process produced strong, lightweight frames suitable for both commercial bistros and domestic dining rooms.

Where were these chairs used originally?

They served in various settings, ranging from English farmhouse kitchens and clerks' offices to Viennese coffee houses and formal dining rooms. Sturdier models suited commercial reception spaces, while refined occasional chairs occupied domestic parlours.

What woods besides beech are used?

Elm frequently appears in chair seats where its interlocking grain resisted splitting under heavy domestic use. Other materials include woven rush for seating pads and occasional touches of oak or plywood.