An iron framed upholstered reclining armchair.
Identifier
FPF404
Title
An iron framed upholstered reclining armchair.
Date
1870-1890
Description
An iron framed upholstered reclining armchair.
Full Description
This upholstered reclining armchair has a folding iron frame. The high rectangular back, seat and foot-rest are upholstered and buttoned in dark green leather substitute. The arms have padded armrests, covered in the same material. The sides of the chair are open and the sinuous-form cast iron frame forms part of the decoration. The legs are fitted with porcelain castors. The upholstery and leather substitute covering are modern.
Folding iron chairs and chair-beds were considered ‘invalid furniture’, designed to provide ease to the suffering as opposed to luxurious reclining chairs made of mahogany, oak or walnut; these were sold as ‘club, reading room or boardroom chairs’ and were established furniture in gentlemen’s rooms (Edwards, 1998-1999).
From the mid-19th century, the number of specialist suppliers of invalid chairs increased, with makers like John Alderman patenting the ‘Graduating elastic self-adjusting invalid chair’ in April 1855. This chair was designed so that ‘the back, the arms, the seat and leg rest are made to work at the same time, so that not a muscle of the patient need to be disturbed’ (ibid.). 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 (ibid).
Folding iron chairs and chair-beds were considered ‘invalid furniture’, designed to provide ease to the suffering as opposed to luxurious reclining chairs made of mahogany, oak or walnut; these were sold as ‘club, reading room or boardroom chairs’ and were established furniture in gentlemen’s rooms (Edwards, 1998-1999).
From the mid-19th century, the number of specialist suppliers of invalid chairs increased, with makers like John Alderman patenting the ‘Graduating elastic self-adjusting invalid chair’ in April 1855. This chair was designed so that ‘the back, the arms, the seat and leg rest are made to work at the same time, so that not a muscle of the patient need to be disturbed’ (ibid.). 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 (ibid).
Condition
One castor is missing.
There are modern replacement screws on the chair back frame.
The recliner mechanism is jammed.
There is some rust on the iron.
There are modern replacement screws on the chair back frame.
The recliner mechanism is jammed.
There is some rust on the iron.
Materials
Iron.
Upholstery.
Upholstery.
Physical Dimensions
H. 101
W. 78
D. 135
W. 78
D. 135
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, pp. 46, 51, fig. 10.
