Stained beech upholstered folding chair.
Identifier
FPF466
Title
Stained beech upholstered folding chair.
Date
1938-1956
Description
Stained beech upholstered folding chair made by Atkins-Atcraft.
Full Description
This stained beech folding chair is derived from a type of deck chair, having a back frame which extends forwards to form the front legs, and hinged back legs. The back has a concave top rail and is slung with a fabric which is attached to the top and sides and to the back of the seat. There a padded neck cushion and the seat is sprung. The back legs are hinged to the front legs and there is a steel folding mechanism between them which allows the chair to be folded and keeps it stable when open and in use. There are stretchers on the front and back legs. The original upholstery cover is visible under the present cover, which is also likely to be near contemporary. The beech frame is stained to simulate walnut.
The chair was made by Atkins-Atcraft and is featured in trade catalogues from January 1938 through to 1956, suggesting it was a popular and successful model (Atkins, 1956). An early prototype with arms appeared from 1926 (and probably earlier) as no. 207 under ‘Easy Chairs’ (Atkins, 1926). It also appears in an earlier but undated compilation of designs in the Atkins-Atcraft archive at London Metropolitan University.
The present chair is model no. 208 and with no.209, which was almost identical but with a higher back, they were described in the 1938 catalogue as ‘The Ideal Chairs for Sewing or Nursing’ (Atkins, 1938). A very similar chair was shown in the 1939 catalogue described as ‘The Lady’s Garden Chair. Also suitable for indoor use’; the only difference was in the choice of coverings: canvas for garden chairs and tapestry for nursing/sewing models.
Atkins-Atcraft was established in 1879 by Edwin Atkins as ‘E. Atkins Ltd.’, furniture makers with factories in Bethnal Green, East London and Birmingham. In the late 1920s, the firm changed its name to Atcraft Ltd. and furniture production was moved to a factory at Alperton, near Wembley, Middlesex. Atcraft's products were wide-ranging from chairs and tables to deck chairs, hammocks and camp beds, and included playpens, prams and invalid chairs. In later years the product range focused almost entirely on producing nursery and garden furniture. The firm ceased trading in the 1980s.
The chair was made by Atkins-Atcraft and is featured in trade catalogues from January 1938 through to 1956, suggesting it was a popular and successful model (Atkins, 1956). An early prototype with arms appeared from 1926 (and probably earlier) as no. 207 under ‘Easy Chairs’ (Atkins, 1926). It also appears in an earlier but undated compilation of designs in the Atkins-Atcraft archive at London Metropolitan University.
The present chair is model no. 208 and with no.209, which was almost identical but with a higher back, they were described in the 1938 catalogue as ‘The Ideal Chairs for Sewing or Nursing’ (Atkins, 1938). A very similar chair was shown in the 1939 catalogue described as ‘The Lady’s Garden Chair. Also suitable for indoor use’; the only difference was in the choice of coverings: canvas for garden chairs and tapestry for nursing/sewing models.
Atkins-Atcraft was established in 1879 by Edwin Atkins as ‘E. Atkins Ltd.’, furniture makers with factories in Bethnal Green, East London and Birmingham. In the late 1920s, the firm changed its name to Atcraft Ltd. and furniture production was moved to a factory at Alperton, near Wembley, Middlesex. Atcraft's products were wide-ranging from chairs and tables to deck chairs, hammocks and camp beds, and included playpens, prams and invalid chairs. In later years the product range focused almost entirely on producing nursery and garden furniture. The firm ceased trading in the 1980s.
Condition
Damage to top cover fabric exposing original fabric beneath.
Materials
Beech.
Upholstery.
Upholstery.
Physical Dimensions
H. 81
W. 52
D. 64
W. 52
D. 64
Marks
Label on back of crest rail: ‘Atcraft Production British Manufacture’.
Provenance
Donated to the Frederick Parker Foundation in 2009.
Notes
The Atkins-Atcraft archive is at the London Metropolitan University.
E. Atkins Ltd., The Book of Folding and Fixed Furniture & Folding Baby Carriages, Catalogue 132, 1926, p. 71, no. 207.
E. Atkins Ltd. Trade Catalogue, no. 142, January 1938, p. 60, nos. 208 and 209.
E. Atkins Ltd. Trade Catalogue, no. 143, January 1939, p. 37, no. 208; p. 60, nos. 208 and 209.
Atcraft, Nursery Furniture and Folding Baby Cars Summer Furniture Occasional Furniture, 1956, p. 15, no. 1710.
See also: Kirkham, Mace and Porter, Furnishing the World, The East London Furniture Trade 1830-1980, Geffrye Museum, 1987, p. 61, for an illustration of an Atkins advertisement, 1905.
E. Atkins Ltd., The Book of Folding and Fixed Furniture & Folding Baby Carriages, Catalogue 132, 1926, p. 71, no. 207.
E. Atkins Ltd. Trade Catalogue, no. 142, January 1938, p. 60, nos. 208 and 209.
E. Atkins Ltd. Trade Catalogue, no. 143, January 1939, p. 37, no. 208; p. 60, nos. 208 and 209.
Atcraft, Nursery Furniture and Folding Baby Cars Summer Furniture Occasional Furniture, 1956, p. 15, no. 1710.
See also: Kirkham, Mace and Porter, Furnishing the World, The East London Furniture Trade 1830-1980, Geffrye Museum, 1987, p. 61, for an illustration of an Atkins advertisement, 1905.
