HIGH PRICE EXPECTED FOR 'WINDSOR' ARMCHAIR

‘Snot’ - if you are a bricklayer – is not the nasal exudation pretty well universal at this time of year, but the excess mortar to be cleaned off a course of bricks. So it is that the antiques trade is littered with terms of perhaps deliberate obscurity which have persisted and still will.

The illustration shows what would popularly be described as a ‘Windsor’ armchair. It is a term common enough even to be used in cataloguing of furniture in even accurate and academic auctioneers lists.

Where the word Windsor came in has never been satisfactorily resolved. Around that royal area certainly, simple but ergonomically satisfying seating furniture, was made from a very early date. This was possible because of a plentiful supply of native woods, ash, elm, yew etc., particularly in the area of High Wycombe. What was true there was no less so than in other areas. These ‘turned’ or ‘thrown’ chairs were made all over the country, each district developing its own style elements.

By the design this one comes from the Leicestershire/Lincolnshire area and would date to the closing years of the 18 th century. It was found recently in the Derby area. What makes it highly unusual is the fact that it is not the usual grown-up armchair. It is diminutive, in fact a child’s chair.

The solid vase shape centre section called ‘the splat’ is made of a piece of solid yew as is the encompassing hoop holding the turned spindles in place, the seat, surprisingly comfortable is a solid piece of dished elm whilst the legs are sections of turned ash reinforced by the hooped stretcher. (This kind of stretcher ‘crinoline stretcher’ – is one of the traditional misleading dealers’ terms, they were in use a good century before crinolines were thought of).
The chair needs to be cleaned and polished lovingly, it is a rare item. For all the numberless chairs that you will see of this type you will not often meet with a child’s chair.

Estimated to fetch over £400, the chair is to be offered in the 12 th April Lichfield Fine Art/Jewellery Sale.

Further entries are currently being invited. Phone 01543 251081 for further information and directions your nearest valuation office/saleroom.