Gothic Revival oak side chair with upholstered seat and back.
Identifier
FPF460
Title
Gothic Revival oak side chair with upholstered seat and back.
Date
1855-1865
Description
Gothic Revival oak side chair with upholstered seat and back, after a design by A.W.N. Pugin.
Full Description
This oak side chair in the Gothic Revival style has square-section back posts joined by cross rails to support a rectangular upholstered back. On the rear of the back there is a hand-hold that retains scraps of the original leather cover. The posts are continuous with square section raked back legs that terminate in curved heels. The square stuff-over seat is raised on front legs that are octagonal in section with squared blocks at the top and bottom and are fitted with brass caps and castors. The legs are joined by ‘H’-form stretchers which are octagonal in section with squared blocks at the joints. The back has evidence of the original upholstery and has recently been covered with calico, while the seat upholstery has been removed entirely. The seat rails are birch. The chair is stamped HOLLAND & SONS under the stretcher.
This chair is after a design by A.W.N. Pugin (1812-1852) for dining chairs for the Prince’s Chamber in the House of Lords, which he executed c. 1845-6 (Victoria & Albert Museum, E.1501-1912). In August 1858, by which date Pugin had died, the Office of Works appointed Holland & Sons to furnish The Speaker’s House in the Palace of Westminster (Aslet, 1986), using Pugin’s designs. The chairs supplied for the State Dining Room by Holland & Sons were made of walnut and can be identified by the use of a label motif in the carving. This example is in oak, and was probably one of many made for the Houses of Parliament for use in lobbies, refreshment rooms, libraries and offices.
For the design, which is based on late-17th century backstools, Pugin specified a light but strong chair, to be covered in green leather for the House of Commons or red leather for the House of Lords, with brass nails. By 1870, the chair was also used in other public buildings, including the South Kensington Museum, now the Victoria & Albert Museum, where the Boardroom was furnished with a set of six chairs (W. 26-1974), made by Gillows & Co (see FPF461).
For comparison with 17th century backstools, see FPF413 and FPF414.
This chair is after a design by A.W.N. Pugin (1812-1852) for dining chairs for the Prince’s Chamber in the House of Lords, which he executed c. 1845-6 (Victoria & Albert Museum, E.1501-1912). In August 1858, by which date Pugin had died, the Office of Works appointed Holland & Sons to furnish The Speaker’s House in the Palace of Westminster (Aslet, 1986), using Pugin’s designs. The chairs supplied for the State Dining Room by Holland & Sons were made of walnut and can be identified by the use of a label motif in the carving. This example is in oak, and was probably one of many made for the Houses of Parliament for use in lobbies, refreshment rooms, libraries and offices.
For the design, which is based on late-17th century backstools, Pugin specified a light but strong chair, to be covered in green leather for the House of Commons or red leather for the House of Lords, with brass nails. By 1870, the chair was also used in other public buildings, including the South Kensington Museum, now the Victoria & Albert Museum, where the Boardroom was furnished with a set of six chairs (W. 26-1974), made by Gillows & Co (see FPF461).
For comparison with 17th century backstools, see FPF413 and FPF414.
Condition
The oak frame is stained and polished to give an appearance of age.
Original upholstery in the back is now damaged and torn.
Original upholstery in the back is now damaged and torn.
Materials
Oak.
Birch seat rails.
Upholstery.
Birch seat rails.
Upholstery.
Physical Dimensions
H. 88
W. 49
D. 60
W. 49
D. 60
Marks
Mark: ‘HOLLAND & SON’ stamped on underside of right stretcher.
Provenance
Purchased by the Frederick Parker Foundation in September 2007 for £350.
Notes
Sketch designs for the standard chair for the House of Common contained within a letter to J.G. Crace | V&A Explore The Collections
C. Aslet, ‘The Speaker’s House, Palace of Westminster’, Country Life, 13 November 1986, p. 1503, fig. 8.
C. Aslet, ‘The Speaker’s House, Palace of Westminster’, Country Life, 13 November 1986, p. 1503, fig. 8.
