Armchair, c.1990

Oak and elm

This chair is one of a set of four designed by John Makepeace
and made at the Parnham workshops. The underside of the seat is stamped ‘JOHN MAKEPEACE, DESIGNERS & MAKERS’. It is named the Knot Chair, and was commissioned by a private client.

Adam Bowett Catalogue 16/08/2012

Description

A set of four chairs, circa 1990. Conceived as two knotted handkerchiefs forming the seat and back, suspended from a sinuous round-section frame with splayed feet.

Dimensions

H: 38” (96cm) Seat height: 19” (48cm) W: 26 ½ “ (67cm) D: 24“ (61cm)

Designer / Maker

John Makepeace

Materials

Figured elm (seat and back), oak (frame)

Construction

The two framing parts are of oak; they are thicknessed at the feet to gain width and rise to join just above the base of the back, continuing to a spliced joint all the way to the top of the chair. The seat and back are solid elm, pieced together to the necessary width, and are connected to the frames by carved elm knots which are formed from glued up blocks shaped and carved; this connection is more apparent than real, for metal rods are inserted through the knot, passing though the oak frame into the corners of the back and seat. They are concealed with wooden plugs.

Marks or stamps

Underside of the seat stamped ‘John Makepeace, Designers & Makers’

Condition

Originally limed now cleaned and oiled.

Provenance

Commissioned from John Makepeace early 1990s