Mahogany folding chair with inverted baluster splat.
Identifier
FPF490
Title
Mahogany folding chair with inverted baluster splat.
Date
1880-1900
Description
Mahogany folding chair with inverted baluster splat and padded seat.
Full Description
This mahogany chair has an undulating moulded crest rail with rounded corners above a solid inverted baluster splat flanked by tapering square-section back posts. The posts are continuous with the front legs, which are joined by pin hinges to the back legs. All four legs terminate in reverse-scroll feet and are joined with turned stretchers. The square seat is a hinged frame, with webbing supporting a pad covered in a modern fabric, which is lifted up in order to enable the chair to fold. There are three webbing straps from front to back under the seat to restrain the hinged fame when open and which allow it to fold up.
This chair was made in the late 19th century. In style it is similar to Dutch folding chairs, or church chairs, of the early 18th century, examples of which are in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam (see note). In the latter part of the 19th century, folding chairs in England were described as campaign chairs, a term relating to officers’ equipment during the Peninsular and Crimean Wars. Folding chair-makers were prolific in late 19th century London; for example, in 1883 The Furniture Gazette recorded a display of folding furniture, including the ‘Acme’ folding chair by John Mallabone (fl. 1883-88) of York Road, Lambeth, at the Third Annual Furniture Exhibition, held in the Agricultural Hall, London (BIFMO).
For another example of a folding chair in the Frederick Parker Collection see FPF466.
This chair was made in the late 19th century. In style it is similar to Dutch folding chairs, or church chairs, of the early 18th century, examples of which are in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam (see note). In the latter part of the 19th century, folding chairs in England were described as campaign chairs, a term relating to officers’ equipment during the Peninsular and Crimean Wars. Folding chair-makers were prolific in late 19th century London; for example, in 1883 The Furniture Gazette recorded a display of folding furniture, including the ‘Acme’ folding chair by John Mallabone (fl. 1883-88) of York Road, Lambeth, at the Third Annual Furniture Exhibition, held in the Agricultural Hall, London (BIFMO).
For another example of a folding chair in the Frederick Parker Collection see FPF466.
Condition
The seat frame is possibly replaced; there are signs of an earlier arrangement with recesses for hinges in the front seat rail. The upholstery is replaced.
The feet have been re-tipped.
The feet have been re-tipped.
Materials
Mahogany.
Upholstery.
Upholstery.
Physical Dimensions
H. 86
W. 51
D. 52
W. 51
D. 52
Provenance
Acquired for the Collection 16 June 2016.
Notes
For a 17th century Dutch folding chair see:
Kerkstoel, Michiel Maenbeeck, c. 1662 - c. 1666 | Rijksmuseum
Kerkstoel, Michiel Maenbeeck, c. 1662 - c. 1666 | Rijksmuseum
