6 10 191 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/3386795869bf99898f33612e59698b7a.jpg b886e097b8548418c60cca31068d457c https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/3c67106e7796d060c36ef4b5054434a4.jpg b5d02d67122f61880d23327a7437f7a2 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/14a67d56548db61ba840a7e1cc7f5038.jpg fd835f59d0cb8c773f3cd4df14626811 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/946596609515b89ed05a6c6887bdf2fe.jpg cfad0c67add83b65d1a30b766076bdca https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/263d489a36236ec67157669d514959c6.jpg 3be07820a2991658106ffcc701ae947e Physical Object An inanimate, three-dimensional object or substance. Note that digital representations of, or surrogates for, these objects should use Moving Image, Still Image, Text or one of the other types. Full Description This armchair has a beech frame and armrests finished with a walnut stain. It has a high, tapering back which is ergonomically contoured to support the sitter; the seat is deep and wide and curves down over the top of the front seat rail. The upholstery is original, as is the dark brown, dralon-type acrylic cover, with two buttons in the back and a padded head rest. <br /><br />This chair was designed by Russell Manoy for Parker Knoll in the early 1980s as part of a range of furniture targeted primarily at the healthcare market. The chair is especially suited to the elderly or orthopaedic patients, with a high back to support the head, good lumbar support and with sturdy arms at a height to provide help in sitting and standing.<br /><br />Russell Manoy (b.1945) is an industrial designer and ergonomist known for his work in designing for the disabled. He was one the first designers to recognise the importance of ergonomics and had carried out considerable research into lumbar support and posture seating. He also developed the innovative pre-formed hardboard back used in this chair, which at the time was a unique manufacturing element for Parker Knoll.<br /><br />Although designed for people with specific needs, the Russell range also proved popular with the wider public. Condition Good, with original upholstery and cover. Materials Beech. <br />Hardboard.<br />Upholstery. Physical Dimensions The physical size of the object H. 103 <br />W. 68<br />D. 69 Marks Stamped mark on inside of seat rail, ‘Parker Knoll design copyright model 1067-70’. Parker Numbers 1067-70. Provenance Given by Russell Manoy to the Parker Knoll company in c.2000, together with his 1977 PhD research, which was used in the production of the chair. Notes Email interview with Richard Ranklin, former production manager, Parker Knoll, 23.06.2020. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context FPF470 Title A name given to the resource High-back upholstered armchair designed by Russell Manoy, made by Parker Knoll. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1980-1990. Description An account of the resource A high-backed upholstered armchair designed by Russell Manoy and manufactured by Parker Knoll. https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/e7fe9956598c04343159f27e8893ba08.jpg b265841776c56e398abf7e4a7e3a48cd https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/ad72d52bce4c638e02712688679bcc66.jpg f16f726b11358d5551f5997b49b30e38 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/494f75b363a549b04bb49fcdeab989f4.jpg 3536d636bf4b2c6df5e40ca2edac92aa https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/0d0f7dc11aaf8515718243781a2c56ab.jpg 997ed6ed5777f6dbc9845f4951eae3e7 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/e46fdd4b015d6ec49ad748d474e27139.jpg 5996db6fc44df70323e2f60ec147ade5 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/f756f92c921cab7868a6aa722587da2c.jpg 5e6456dd7a506a6062586b8c81d902dd Physical Object An inanimate, three-dimensional object or substance. Note that digital representations of, or surrogates for, these objects should use Moving Image, Still Image, Text or one of the other types. Full Description This walnut side chair has a tall back with an elaborately carved and pierced arched crest with a central shell flanked by scrolls. The crest is fitted to the tops of the back posts which are moulded and joined by a lower rail, carved with an inverted shell and scrolls matching the crest. The back is caned. The seat rails, which are square-section and without decoration, are joined into the back posts and front legs, enclosing a tapered caned seat. The tops of the front legs are squared blocks with a turned roundel on the upper ends; the lower parts are cabriole with foliate carving on the knees and moulded edges, terminating in scrolled-over feet, also foliate carved. The back legs are raked, and are inverted baluster-turned with a reel, above squared and flared heels. The flat stretchers are H-formed, those at the sides are moulded, serpentine and taper towards the back, and the cross stretcher, set a short way back from the front legs, is similar and is carved with a shell in the centre.<br /><br />This form of chair, with a moulded back forming the frame to the caning, was introduced from around 1715. It was a simpler, less ornate style, replacing the turned banister posts and carved panels of high-back caned chairs dating from c.1700-1715. Gradually the carved crest rails and stretchers would also be replaced by simpler forms by around 1720, and the backs would be lower. Cabriole legs became a feature of English chairs from around 1715, when they were generally referred to as ‘French feet’ since this was where they appear to have originated, and were most probably a refinement of the earlier ‘horsebone’ leg (Bowett, 2009).<br /><br />This particular chair has been extensively repaired, probably during the 19th century when there was a revival of interest in early 18th century furniture. Old chairs were restored, and it was often the case that new chairs were fabricated using some original parts, in order to make up matching sets. The turned backs legs seen here are a particularly unusual feature, not original to the chair. The seat rails are also of a type seen on chairs dated between 1660 and 1700, and are out of place here. Condition There are metal brackets supporting the crest rail.<br />The right back post has been repaired.<br />Part of the shell carving in the back rail has broken off.<br />The right and possibly the left back leg are replaced below the seat. <br />All leg joints below the seat are reinforced with metal brackets.<br />All the stretcher joints are reinforced with metal brackets.<br />The cane in the back has been replaced.<br />All the seat rails are replaced and the caning renewed. Materials Walnut<br />Cane Physical Dimensions The physical size of the object H. 124<br />W. 52<br />D. 53 Marks Chisel mark under the stretcher, IIIV. Parker Numbers OM 5697. Provenance Purchased by Frederick Parker &amp; Sons, December 1919 for £19.10.0 Notes Adam Bowett, Early Georgian Furniture,1715-1740, Antique Collectors’ Club, 2009, pp. 150-5. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context FPF032 Title A name given to the resource High-back walnut side chair with caned seat and back. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1715-1725 Description An account of the resource High-back walnut side chair with caned seat and back, with cabriole front legs. https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/f5a827821dea8b71e319cfb09fbc67d5.jpg 49a4c680e626973fab2ffa5655a02664 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/6ac87372b3c7218d937bc5b3d7b05e9a.jpg 37e4cdfe355c94b23a209dd30bc958ea https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/815370b5d01743ce1bac4bc573300990.jpg 9dde7e6a760bced92791c6971c8d8052 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/c9374b4ebc21b9988090604122d22030.jpg 6b15689ee6c5003d5b6a5662b1201de3 Physical Object An inanimate, three-dimensional object or substance. Note that digital representations of, or surrogates for, these objects should use Moving Image, Still Image, Text or one of the other types. Full Description This iron frame for a reclining chair has a high back with a curved top, now bent out of shape. The seat is square and the angle between the seat and back can be adjusted by means of a geared mechanism. There is an adjustable padded footrest. The arms are curved at the front, and one retains remnants of a padded armrest. The rest of the upholstery has been removed. The chair is on castors. Part of a brass plaque remains under the footrest, inscribed: ‘TONT…’. <br /><br />This was probably an invalid chair, rather than a comfortable reclining armchair. The frame is functional and inexpensive, suggesting that perhaps the chair was used in a hospital or on military campaigns.<br /><br />In 1871, an American firm, George Wilson, patented an adjustable iron-frame chair that combined arms and legs in one section with a seat mechanism, suspended in balance. The chair could be positioned to become an easy chair, a parlour chair, a ‘heels higher than head’ chair, a lounger, and a bed. In 1876, Cevedra Sheldon of New York designed one of the most successful reclining chairs of the period, marketed by the Marks Adjustable Chair Company. Fashionable in America and England, the Marks chair was described by a leading British trade journal in 1889 as: ‘constructed to fulfil the requirements of lounge chair, smoking chair, library chair, invalid chair, deck chair and bed’ (Edwards, 1998-1999).<br /><br />A related brass and iron campaign chair sold Dreweatt Neate, 11 July 2007, lot 250. Condition Almost all the upholstery is missing. Materials Iron.<br />Upholstery fragments. Physical Dimensions The physical size of the object H. 114<br />W. 76 <br />D. 71 Marks Remains of a brass plaque underneath the footrest, engraved: ‘TONT…’. Provenance In the Collection prior to 1993. Notes C. Edwards, ‘Reclining Chairs Surveyed: Health, Comfort, and Fashion in Evolving Markets’, Studies in the Decorative Arts, Fall-Winter 1998-1999, Vol. 6, No. 1, p. 51, fig. 10, pp. 52-53, fig. 11. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context FPF388 Title A name given to the resource Iron frame for a reclining armchair. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1880-1900 Description An account of the resource Iron frame for a reclining armchair. https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/1b222c2cccf6d9e6a40686665c2fa8f9.jpg 153f02e115119e2e89ced620ff1d3934 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/1fc5bd6c17da2ceff3cd0d2bbb5a2bbc.jpg 7cfc44bf2c850d09c81d01605ac32b80 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/5ebfba429133981029f2f640a6ac3336.jpg 257294b6f448e331fff5cf49026913ca https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/1c4403f69bca5803fb18e9e6cec447d3.jpg b684d8446c842f2cfa730b63b26888f6 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/1534861e6f2a10b6d68a3275242ac598.jpg 7984de34b5e69ce3ad16a3b6accb91b3 Physical Object An inanimate, three-dimensional object or substance. Note that digital representations of, or surrogates for, these objects should use Moving Image, Still Image, Text or one of the other types. Full Description This chair has a moulded papier-mâché back and a wood (probably beech) frame from the seat down, all japanned in black, inlaid with shells and decorated with gold paint. The back is spoon shaped and has a vasiform splat, probably moulded as one piece in papier-mâché, around a wood frame to provide strength. It is morticed into the back of the caned seat, which has tapered and rounded rails; the front rail is bowed. The chair is raised on faceted cabriole legs at the front, and oval-section flared legs at the back. There are plain turned stretchers at the sides and back, while the front stretcher is also turned but with a hexagonally faceted and decorated centre block. The black japanning is finished to high gloss and inlaid with mother-of-pearl and abalone, and is painted with gilt arabesques.<br /><br />Papier-mâché is the French term for paper pulp. It was introduced into Europe in the 17th century from Persia and the East. By the 19th century, there were two varieties of the material both of which bore the same name. The first technique was to paste sheets of paper onto an iron or brass mould allowing each layer to dry before applying the next. The second, and more common, was to reduce the paper into a pulpy substance and pack it into a mould of the desired form. In both methods, reinforcements with wire or other material might be required (Gloag, 1991). This chair is a good example of the fashion for papier-mâché furniture in the mid-19th century.<br /><br />One of the most renowned and highly skilled firms in the manufacture of papier-mâché wares was Aaron Jennens &amp; T.H. Bettridge (fl. 1815-1864). In 1825 they took out a patent for ‘working pearl shell into various forms, for applying it to ornamental uses in the manufacture of paper and other wares’, and between 1825 and 1830, invented a process for softening boards by steam and shaping them in moulds to create chairs, tables and caskets. Originally based in Birmingham, by 1837 they had set up a London shop at 3 West Halkin Street, Belgravia and two years later had offices in Paris and New York. They exhibited the ‘Day Dreamer’ armchair at the Great Exhibition of 1851 (Illustrated Exhibitor, 1851).<br /><br />Queen Mary (r. 1910-36) was a collector of late Georgian and Victorian papier-mâché. Part of her extensive collection is in her Black Museum at Frogmore House, Windsor (Cornforth, 1991). Condition The joint between the back left leg and seat is loose.<br />The seat is reinforced with a metal bracket.<br />Woodworm holes in seat rails (frame is possibly beech)<br />The cane appears original, with some damage.<br />Requires careful handling. Materials Beech (presumed) and papier-mâché, japanned and inlaid with shell.<br />Cane. Physical Dimensions The physical size of the object H. 80 <br />W. 43 <br />D. 44 Marks Painted number on back left leg, ‘Y 946’. Provenance Purchased by the Frederick Parker Foundation in 2002. Notes J. Gloag, A Complete Dictionary of Furniture, revised and expanded by C. Edwards, Woodstock, 1991, pp. 491-92.<br />The Illustrated Exhibitor. A Tribute to the World's Industrial Jubilee; comprising Sketches, by Pen and Pencil, of the Principal Objects in the Great Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations, London, 1851, p. 345.<br />J. Cornforth, ‘If Objects Could Speak’, Country Life, 22 August 1991, p. 46. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context FPF412 Title A name given to the resource Japanned beech and papier-mâché side chair. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1850-1870 Description An account of the resource Japanned beech and papier-mâché side chair with caned seat. https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/7a93c736ac731d57b6dbabd84ec9b20e.jpg d163d43305849fdb77ada7c885538a0c https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/90c8c1d0f02a384b546eb61307702734.jpg 173386819650d89e05624ac0f23fef16 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/59f56316eadf5bd68b345206eeb18e66.jpg 5e0326daa653a92aad4adaf172af400c https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/f2089178cf1e4f9beb416201ea717755.jpg f1a6b022da8a16250affcb471970b28d https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/703fb3829bad1b1fc8f1aca53da70a81.jpg 43ec828e0cf52837659e2dbda0768921 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/198a9e7ec31deba238a2b1df32865039.jpg c89fa7f68155f3a62cb629b57b21662f https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/f530156bc9548d8784f3015839493486.jpg 9d25111f9f753565a64a10efd4e55bbe https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/3a5e3a6b7c5cb4d31da10b224b6ed159.jpg 41854c4e6f089f76119c0a47a2738295 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/98b6de3b2b1a9d0b24ff835d9fed87a3.jpg f643f90bc20d870cc031241d8859f3a9 Physical Object An inanimate, three-dimensional object or substance. Note that digital representations of, or surrogates for, these objects should use Moving Image, Still Image, Text or one of the other types. Full Description This beech armchair has a scrolled and curved back with a panel of three splats of close-set vertical bars of rectangular profile above a horizontal bar set between turned uprights. The arms are scrolled on turned supports. The legs are turned and tapered and with the other turned parts have turnings to simulate bamboo. <br /><br />The chair is painted, or japanned, black with gilded decoration, including a Greek key motif on the top rail and front seat rail and long leaves at the base of the uprights. This finish is original and is rubbed through to the bare wood on the arms where such wear would be expected.<br /><br />The squared blocks at the base of the uprights and arm supports show the height that the squab cushion was originally intended to be. For a very similar armchair in the Frederick Parker Collection see FPF 299. Condition Two replaced seat rails. <br />A boss is missing from one end of the top rail. <br />The seat has been re-caned.<br />A squab cushion made in the 20th century was with the chair in 1993 but is now missing. Materials Beech. <br />Cane. Physical Dimensions The physical size of the object H. 86 <br />W. 56<br />D. 62 Parker Numbers 6107 Provenance Purchased by Frederick Parker &amp; Sons from Alan Walsh, 2 Sept. 1927 for £2.15.0 Notes A black and gilded armchair in the V &amp; A has similar Greek key decoration on the front rail and similar simulated bamboo legs (add ref). <br />See also Ralph Fastnedge, Sheraton Furniture, Antique Collectors’ Club, 1983, pl. 9. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context FPF316 Title A name given to the resource Japanned beech armchair with bar back, scrolled arms and caned seat. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1800-1820. Description An account of the resource Japanned and gilded beech armchair with curved and scrolled bar back and scrolled arms, caned seat and turned front legs. https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/ad17bf13175cae6044815782af261bc7.jpg 87d0ad1de9310da67a37d339d7f7cc02 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/813b2270a60c2ca1b96ca969604c49cc.jpg 1b18091842612b0c4bbeb599d99db2d0 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/aaf318aa1801d90417c1288f841f3ccb.jpg 5ffee9425b9bc69aca1e2f5742ac99c6 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/bca450951ed93d897eaa5256cb7e8975.jpg 32c519cb1b80f9840a89922e00de6a3b https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/593bb8f8bd0b00140bffbbe173f01f34.jpg 74bc39576530e58ff3fe5d54bff4e3a8 Physical Object An inanimate, three-dimensional object or substance. Note that digital representations of, or surrogates for, these objects should use Moving Image, Still Image, Text or one of the other types. Full Description This japanned (black painted) armchair with gold-painted decoration has a square concave back with turned and tapering back posts originally with finials (now missing) and three horizontal rails. The top two rails enclose a central tablet painted with a wreath and swags of husks or flowers. The lower rails enclose a diamond lattice splat painted with leaf capitals. The back posts are also painted with husks and are continuous with the back legs which are squared in the mid-section and turned, tapering and raked below. The seat rails are curved at the sides and tapering towards the back; the front rail is bowed and painted with a central panel of a patera, husks and trellis. The front legs are squared at the top and turned and tapered below with ring turnings near the tips. Arms were originally joined to the back posts just below the crest rail and would have had supports rising from the front legs.<br /><br />This form of chair back can be compared to Thomas Sheraton’s ‘Backs for Parlour Chairs’ from his The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer’s Drawing Book (published 1793, 1794, 1802) (White, 1990). In his The Cabinet Dictionary (1803), Sheraton noted regarding ebonising that: ‘pear tree, and other close grained woods have sometimes passed for ebony, by staining them black. This some do by a few washes of a hot decoration of galls, and when dry, adding writing ink, polishing it with a stiff brush, and a little hot wax’ (Gloag, 1991). In the Supplement to The Cabinet Dictionary, Sheraton devoted a full chapter to ‘Painting Furniture’ (ibid.). Condition Originally with arms, now removed.<br />The back right leg is replaced and supported by a metal bracket.<br />The caning is old, possibly original, with some damage.<br />The gold-painted decoration has been poorly over-painted.<br />Holes in the seat rails were possibly for fixings to keep the chair stable during transport. Materials Beech.<br />Cane. Physical Dimensions The physical size of the object H. 84 <br />W. 55 <br />D. 53 Parker Numbers OM 165, pattern no. 1185. See Frederick Parker Archive, Box 55, Ms. FPA050, page 168. Provenance In stock with Frederick Parker &amp; Sons prior to 1911 when valued at £1 10s. Notes ed. E. White, Pictorial Dictionary of British 18th Century Furniture Design, Woodbridge, 1990, p. 95, Appendix, Plate XXV, bottom right.<br />J. Gloag, A Complete Dictionary of Furniture, revised and expanded by C. Edwards, Woodstock, 1991, p. 310 and p. 489. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context FPF319 Title A name given to the resource Japanned beech armchair with caned seat (originally with arms). Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1790-1800 Description An account of the resource Japanned beech armchair with gold painted decoration and a caned seat (originally with arms). https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/15bc362fc446118d3126bd8c3b22513c.jpg 2f4130c3446c232477b04e1b145edaf5 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/5a78e76198b1c305de553b8c8e79ef1f.jpg 776570124bfbb884f6f8ecc829280238 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/1ee007ba3ab6b87640aead5c01fca1ac.jpg 4d350cbebcceef14afd1a0bdde71af76 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/5c9512b340278e13ace8fde482a4701d.jpg 1c0f1aa01e1c83242c29547e72dcd47e https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/e46e184b922b65c56be6d5ea2dc16ca3.jpg d09e2f608908720a755f005e381b7fe2 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/3f339f5f0409125edf029df7dce8937c.jpg 4bd8b1dd7270b2dcda7c3d1e6819ca28 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/3640b7f98a2457ac302cfbc8a2f25be3.jpg aba19a0e94bf30690ab00e18734a3fca https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/0e3d7325cccca81319107f43dabf18c3.jpg 59e9eb0adb96feaa9593b3952c7d66e3 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/0ca152316a549194e5bf2352aca6e5e6.jpg 4387f9973b14d662f469cc494133760f Physical Object An inanimate, three-dimensional object or substance. Note that digital representations of, or surrogates for, these objects should use Moving Image, Still Image, Text or one of the other types. Full Description This armchair has a scrolled and curved top rail painted with two eagles flanking an urn, and the channelled uprights below are decorated with anthemion (honeysuckle) motifs and simulated ribbing. This is continued on the sides of the slightly tapering arms which have channel-moulded tops echoing the seat side-rails. The arms are supported front and back on spiral-fluted turned sections and have turned discs as terminals. The X-frame is formed as two U-shapes of rounded profile, each made in two sections and joined by two bars which taper from front to back. The legs become turned and tapered with moulded collars and turned feet. Because of the narrow proportions of the chair, the seat is deeply dished. The upholstery is possibly 19th century, the covers are 20th century.<br /><br />The chair retains its original gessoed and painted surface on a black ground, in the manner of Greek ‘Etruscan’ red-figure pottery, with gilded highlights. The decoration has suffered badly from degradation, as if from bitumen in the paint, but traces of further red and gilded lines and foliate motifs remain on the underframe, along with some bright orangey colour beneath the varnish and burnished gilding. Both this and the anthemion motifs are reminiscent of the decoration on another chair in the Frederick Parker Collection, FPF226. <br /><br />Although the decoration looks to be English in form, similar chairs were made on the Continent; it has been suggested that this example could be Scandinavian, while a pair of very similar French gilded chairs stamped George Jacob were sold at Artcurial, Paris on 16 December 2019, lot 42.<br /><br />The X-frame form has been used on chairs and stools since Ancient Egyptian times. In Ancient Rome, as a ‘curule’ chair, the form was recognised as a chair of status, of political or military power. The North Italian late-medieval Savonarola chair was another manifestation. In all of the early forms the X-frame was made to fold, but later chairs tend to be fixed. Its revival in the early 19th century was in part due to the publications of Percier and Fontaine in France and Thomas Sheraton and Thomas Hope in England. Condition Original painted surface worn and with considerable losses. <br />Upholstery possibly 19th century; the covers are 20th century, ripped and worn. Materials Beech. <br />Upholstery. Physical Dimensions The physical size of the object H. 85<br />W. 58<br />D. 53 Provenance Donated to the Frederick Parker Foundation in 2009 by Mr &amp; Mrs Godfrey Curtis, who acquired it at auction ‘from a gentleman’s house in Whittlesford, Cambridgeshire’. Notes For comparable X-framed chairs in the Frederick Parker Collection, see FPF026 and its copy FPF377, and FPF490.<br />See Thomas Sheraton, Cabinet Dictionary, 1803, pl. 45, which shows two ‘drawing-room’ chairs with X-frames.<br />For further contemporary references to X-frame chairs see Percier &amp; Fontaine, Recueil de Décorations Intérieures, 1801, and Thomas Hope, Household Furniture and Interior Decoration, 1807.<br />The Dictionary of English Furniture, 1954, vol. I, fig. 263, illustrates a black and gilt X-frame chair, then at Brympton, Somerset. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context FPF467 Title A name given to the resource Japanned beech X-frame armchair with upholstered seat and back. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1800-1830. Description An account of the resource Japanned beech armchair with a curved, scrolled back and an X-shaped frame, with upholstered back panel and seat. https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/e2a5363546f7f2cb4ae64106e3157053.jpg 80b81f0c272c199b08bafe573adbcd78 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/e67f7bd432799fb6e0aff8c6f6d5af1b.jpg a92467323fcd1a2426a4755bd2140f92 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/f79ad0936847e2b7440f37e16353daf8.jpg 8437abaacc001d20cb0dccef168a7794 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/6e0340bc63f65a90e62203172fbcc1d5.jpg 54f990d0e21f477d91f15a3a13eeb614 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/526a068999695eb67e8799b0e94fdc24.jpg 36a52b9b6d96242b31ffdeab475f9abb https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/dbef4eda0b10127807198ac73cb88e52.jpg 608502fd620321a161fa649abf0e22f3 Physical Object An inanimate, three-dimensional object or substance. Note that digital representations of, or surrogates for, these objects should use Moving Image, Still Image, Text or one of the other types. Full Description This mahogany armchair has a concave, serpentine crest rail with pointed corners and tapering and slightly splayed back posts. The pierced fan-back splat slots into a ‘shoe’ fitted to the top of the rear seat rail. Out-scrolled, shaped and moulded arms join the sides of the moulded, square-section seat rail; the leather covered drop-in seat tapers towards the back. The chair is raised on square-section legs joined by an H-form cross stretcher and a slightly higher back stretcher. The back legs are raked and have flared heels.<br /><br />This armchair has been adapted from a ‘close’ or commode chair; the front and side rails are replaced as are the front legs. It would originally have had deeper seat rails, evidenced by the filled mortice slots in the back legs, and probably aprons to the front and side rails to hide the pewter or ceramic toilet pot, set in a wooden seat. There would have been a loose squab cushion on top. The present leather covered drop-in seat is a replacement, with an earlier striped red horsehair fabric underneath. <br /><br />The pierced fan-back splat first appeared in the 1740s; the earliest documented example is the set of twenty-four chairs supplied by John Willis of St. Paul’s Churchyard to Emmanuel College, Cambridge in 1745 (Bowett, 2009). <br /><br />This chair relates to a set of chairs supplied by Gillow of Lancaster to William Hassell of Penrith in 1774. A design for a fan-back chair from the Gillows’ Coloured Sketch Book is illustrated in Stuart. By the 1780s, the serpentine or undulating crest rail had been replaced by an arched rail. Most Gillow furniture is not stamped or signed. However, the stamp ‘WF’ on this chair may refer to William Fell of Ulverstone, who was apprenticed to Robert Gillow in 1742. Another William Fell of Ulverstone, presumably the son, was working for Gillows in the 1780s (Stuart, 2008).<br /><br />For another example of a mahogany close chair of similar period in the Frederick Parker Collection, see FPF160. Condition The front and side rails and front legs have been replaced; they have been carefully matched to the rest of the chair when it was converted from a close chair. <br />The drop-in seat has been replaced in the 20th century and has a red horsehair cover under the present leather. Materials Mahogany.<br />Upholstery. Physical Dimensions The physical size of the object H. 97<br />W. 66<br />D. 58 Marks ‘WF’ incised on the rear of the back seat rail. Parker Numbers OM A9. 6211. 364. Provenance In the Collection prior to 1993. Notes A. Bowett, Early Georgian Furniture 1715-1740, Woodbridge, 2009, p. 197, Plate 4:108<br />S. Stuart, Gillows of Lancaster and London, 1730-1840, Woodbridge, 2008, vol. I, p. 151, plate 97; p. 152, plate 100, right; vol. II, pp. 235-236. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context FPF364 Title A name given to the resource Mahogany ‘close’ (or commode) armchair. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1750-1770 Description An account of the resource Mahogany ‘close’ (or commode) armchair with pierced fan-back splat. https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/30ce7f87fc871fe30b2ae0a6a5eb4e3a.jpg a1839d335cae50a6b9f172ba90d753c7 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/10f1774a0697a181b5fcafb108633778.jpg 3ac39f9ce49d84df8e908c21c9bca5d9 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/4981dc3c7eda3cf5d1a8b5a7ac5f75d0.jpg f2bed62758f15dca2a3108f986c51470 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/bb471c24f71b3715fcdd8d06ae169af7.jpg 95a7d5bd3208f1538a75f9f9d6b79ace https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/2a1ae5cece76828ab622e64224da214f.jpg d36b6fbb365eac26a0e4a61cd8fece5a https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/9a8e91b39eae6bc2e02c417a042f7912.jpg 41ef83f34b9603b987cbbd8d4e257aae Physical Object An inanimate, three-dimensional object or substance. Note that digital representations of, or surrogates for, these objects should use Moving Image, Still Image, Text or one of the other types. Full Description A ‘close’ chair is one fitted with a pewter or ceramic toilet pot in the seat. The term commode was used from the 19th century onwards and derives from bedside cupboards for pots disguised as chests of drawers - the early term for a chest of drawers being a commode. The term is now in common use as a chair with a pot.<br /><br />This mahogany armchair has a serpentine crest rail and flared tapering back posts. A pierced interlaced vase-shaped splat fits into a shoe at the rear of the tapering upholstered drop-in seat, which has a deep apron shaped with cusps at the front and sides to conceal the pot. Under the drop-in seat there is a pine board, cut with a hole for the pot (now missing). The chair has out-swept arms with serpentine supports that join deep seat rails, and it is supported on chamfered square-section legs, the back legs slightly flared. The drop-in seat frame is a replacement covered in a modern leatherette fabric.<br /><br />The back splat is possibly derived from Plate XVI ‘Backs of Chairs’ in the 3rd edition of Thomas Chippendale’s The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director, 1762. The design was evidently still fashionable in the 1770s, as seen in Thomas Malton’s drawing (White, 1990). Condition The right back post has been replaced.<br />There are knife marks on the left side of the seat rail. Materials Mahogany.<br />Pine.<br />Upholstery. Physical Dimensions The physical size of the object H. 99<br />W. 66 <br />D. 58 Parker Numbers 4045/6<br />OM 6048. See Frederick Parker Archive, Box 55, FPA050. Page 136. Provenance In stock with Frederick Parker &amp; Sons on 12th May 1925 for £5.0.0. Notes Thomas Chippendale, The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director, Third Edition, 1762, Plate XVI. Also in ed. E. White, Pictorial Dictionary of British 18th Century Furniture Design, Woodbridge, 1990, p. 66, Plate XVI. <br />See also in ed. E. White, Pictorial Dictionary of British 18th Century Furniture Design, Antique Collectors’ Club, 1990, p. 85, Thomas Malton, Compleat Treatise on Perspective, 1775, Plate XXXIII, Fig. 130.<br />Two further examples of close chairs, c. 1770, are at Polesden Lacy, Surrey ; see: <br /><a href="https://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/1245960">Open armchair 1245960| National Trust collections</a><br /><a href="https://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/1246061">Open armchair 1245961| National Trust collections</a> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context FPF160 Title A name given to the resource Mahogany ‘close’ armchair, or commode. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1765-1775 Description An account of the resource Mahogany ‘close’ armchair, or commode, with pierced splat and upholstered drop-in seat. https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/9f68d8f60742333c795f23c15f2b6ce7.jpg 105a383b7ddba35cc46026734c3b026f https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/16fad7e0d5945028a546a160ef7fc82f.jpg 2dcb28b0efaf8990ed5cff53225d8331 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/cc2ff57ff81319b07ad1a29937033092.jpg bb783b4e2e2f65b890d9b98fe312d5b2 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/97333ef8435c61c0aab773aa37275de3.jpg aec30e6106cd22fe1467aed9e94a60a3 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/89eab19b7ccdb8eeff1f94f57a1d2cda.jpg 3cdf6596c718e317d0aa35ee8bfa3248 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/32fb2a77be5abc2604f2d518e3ca0cd4.jpg 50765c8da6e72d78bc7910be1d99df35 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/7197b9e55666d14e8d5302550b0e5018.jpg 9fde07d88a912d957269ee202f8efc4a https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/57db7c1f5740bba9b3316510b1ae0918.jpg aed27a19a94d9b1ff597730dd3ec9395 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/4585cdd54cdd57df81e14f550dc34398.jpg 57aaf0e7998411cb676ff64faf840dec https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/bdc38d66008a3ce10c36b8f5ec0e9475.jpg 0402474a7b77ff85e0286ded94081216 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/3915be62e53d2e89b51dc369efa028c6.jpg 434b7dd93b7b803145e0ba8a27ec196e https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/e9e68737521181c10d2a9f51b7000ca2.jpg ab057bcfa2188de712a3eb754c75140e https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/de933d2c6de6175a176f06111fcf9d00.jpg 4f8b656e744297830d0c46e84995cbe9 https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/aa524795175f715a78964e2fd4dc8c60.jpg 3f5e799e135031385058b8ed5075cbeb https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/c083d83b1593fccbcffc671b438e01f2.jpg 04089706eeede6860c5f1e24ec88966b https://www.frederickparkercollection.org.uk/files/original/85e566d314f8663514685538adcc534e.jpg cbb1e4db656edef6fd0d0721485cc96c Physical Object An inanimate, three-dimensional object or substance. Note that digital representations of, or surrogates for, these objects should use Moving Image, Still Image, Text or one of the other types. Full Description An exceptional mahogany armchair, with a carved and pierced splat in the back, serpentine arms, cabriole front legs ending in ball and claw feet and tapering back legs ending in pad feet. The back, with its central splat and crest rail, is finely carved with interlacing and foliage, with eagles’ heads at the top corners of the crest rail. The arms terminate in out-swept scrolls carved with eagles’ heads, and there are further eagles’ heads carved on the brackets between the front legs and the seat rails. The carving and piercing of the ball and claw feet is equally skilful. The seat upholstery with its leather cover is probably 19th century. The chair is stamped ‘SW’ twice under the rear seat rail.<br /><br />This chair is very high quality, designed and made with a lightness not usually found on chairs of this type and date. The use of mahogany has allowed the maker to reduce each part to the smallest possible section without sacrificing strength. The piercing of the splat in particular is extreme and the carving and interlace have further reduced its thickness. The decorative theme of eagles, the symbol of Jupiter, is continued from the crest rail to the out-scrolled arm terminals and the front legs. Here the scrolling ears carved with feathered eagles’ heads again seem to have been designed to emphasise the feeling of lightness, as do the ball and claw foot details, where the talons and claws are pierced through and carved in full relief. This piercing is a considerable rarity. The type of mahogany, the cabriole legs, the design and vocabulary of Roman decorative detail such as eagles’ heads and acanthus, all date this chair to the 1740s. It must have been made by an accomplished maker for a wealthy client. It retains an excellent colour and patination. <br /><br />When this chair was purchased by Parkers in the 1920s the original crest rail had been replaced with an inappropriate one of a later, eared design, as recorded in a photograph in the Frederick Parker Archive. Parkers decided to restore the chair with a more suitable and carefully researched crest and the result is an excellent example of the skills of their craftsmen at the time. The chair was then shown at the 1928 BADA Exhibition, after which it became one of the Company’s stock reproduction models. One of these, dating from the 1930s, is also in the Collection (FPF382) and offers an interesting comparison. Condition The crest rail and shoe at the base of the splat were replaced, c. 1928. <br />Part of the scrolling on the back splat is missing. Materials Mahogany.<br />Upholstery. Physical Dimensions The physical size of the object H. 97<br />W. 76<br />D. 61 Marks Stamped ‘SW’ twice under the rear seat rail. Parker Numbers Paper label inside seat rail, printed: ‘From Frederick Parker &amp; Sons, Ltd. 20, Newman Street, Oxford Street, London, W.I. High Wycombe and Cowley.’ Also inscribed in pen: ‘OM 3570’.<br />Paper label inside seat rail, typed: ‘117. A George II. Armchair. Circa 1745. With interlaced and carved back, cabriole legs with eagles’ heads and claw and ball feet (top rail restored). <br />Printed label on underside of seat rail: ‘Art Treasures Exhibition 1928 No.’ Inscribed in pen: ‘117’. <br />Associated numbers: 3565. 4779. Provenance Purchased by Frederick Parker &amp; Sons, 1920s Notes Exhibited at the British Antique Dealers’ Association’s Exhibition of Art Treasures at the Grafton Galleries, London, 1928, exhibit no. 117.<br />Exhibited at Decorex, Sept 2016.<br />For comparable chairs with eagle head carving see Lucy Wood, The Upholstered Furniture in the Lady Lever Art Gallery, Yale University Press, 2008, Vol. I, pp 501-7 and 508-516. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context FPF112 Title A name given to the resource Mahogany armchair carved with eagle heads. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1740-1750 Description An account of the resource A mahogany armchair carved with eagles’ heads, with cabriole legs and ball and claw feet, and an upholstered seat.