Chair, c.1888

Oak with gilded gesso decoration

This chair was designed by C.R. Ashbee and probably made by the Guild of Handicraft, London. It comes from a set that formerly furnished the Fine Art Society’s gallery, London.

Adam Bowett Catalogue 14/08/2012

Description

A chair, circa 1885; the rectangular board back has a sunk circular panel decorated with a pomegranate in raised silvered gesso, with a thin lower rail below; the boarded seat is raised on plain rails with square legs and plain stretchers.

Dimensions

H: 40 ½ ” (103cm) Seat height: 18 ” (45 ½ cm) W: 18 ½ ” ( 48 cm) D: 17” (43cm)

Designer/Maker

C. R. Ashbee

Materials

Oak

Construction

All joints appear to be mortise and tenon, with the following exceptions: finials probably dowelled into the top of the posts, back panel is of two boards, butt-jointed; seat is of two boards, butt-jointed and originally screwed down on to the rails from below, now with additional glue and nails.

Condition

Sound. All surfaces re-finished. The chair has been well used, with knocks and abrasions to surfaces and corners. Front edge of seat and front stretcher are well worn, finials are replaced. Joint in back panel has been repaired and filled, motif in back is discolored, tarnished and with a heavy craquelure. Nails in seat not original. Nailed and filled repairs to joints between legs and side seat rails.