Upholstered low armchair.
Identifier
FPF497
Title
Upholstered low armchair.
Date
1870-1890
Description
Upholstered low armchair, probably a nursing chair.
Full Description
This upholstered armchair has a rounded back, shaped with a slightly raised centre, and waisted sides which are continuous with low sloping arms. The seat is almost circular and the chair is raised on short turned mahogany front legs, and squared and raked stained beech legs at the back, all fitted with brass and ceramic castors. The back and arms are made with a metal frame while the seat frame is of beech. The chair has retained its original buttoned upholstery in the back and sides, with cotton waste and horsehair stuffing and a silk cover in poor condition. The seams are piped in a fabric of blue stripes. The seat has coiled springs and has been recently re-upholstered and covered in calico.
This low-seated armchair is probably a nursing chair, a term used at least from the mid-18th century, for example by Thomas Chippendale in a bill dated 1757 (Gloag, 1991). This late-19th century chair is similar to those illustrated in Charles and Richard Light’s 1881 catalogue, Cabinet Furniture: Designs and Catalogue of Cabinet and Upholstery Furniture, Looking-Glasses, etc. (Joy, 1994). C&R Light was one of the largest firms in the East London furniture industry, supplying retailers and exporters with a very wide range of models to suit a broad consumer market. The firm was listed as cabinet makers at 140, 142 & 144 Curtain Road and 5-10 Le Blond’s Buildings in The Furniture Gazette Directory in 1876 & 1877. The upholstery branch, which operated out of 141 Kingsland Road was listed in the 1871 Post Office Directory (BIFMO).
This low-seated armchair is probably a nursing chair, a term used at least from the mid-18th century, for example by Thomas Chippendale in a bill dated 1757 (Gloag, 1991). This late-19th century chair is similar to those illustrated in Charles and Richard Light’s 1881 catalogue, Cabinet Furniture: Designs and Catalogue of Cabinet and Upholstery Furniture, Looking-Glasses, etc. (Joy, 1994). C&R Light was one of the largest firms in the East London furniture industry, supplying retailers and exporters with a very wide range of models to suit a broad consumer market. The firm was listed as cabinet makers at 140, 142 & 144 Curtain Road and 5-10 Le Blond’s Buildings in The Furniture Gazette Directory in 1876 & 1877. The upholstery branch, which operated out of 141 Kingsland Road was listed in the 1871 Post Office Directory (BIFMO).
Condition
Original upholstery in the back and sides, cover in poor condition. The seat re-upholstered but without a top cover.
Materials
Mahogany.
Beech.
Steel frame.
Upholstery.
Beech.
Steel frame.
Upholstery.
Physical Dimensions
H. 81
W. 52
D. 70
W. 52
D. 70
Provenance
Acquired for the Collection, c.2016.
Notes
J. Gloag, A Complete Dictionary of Furniture, revised and expanded by C. Edwards, Woodstock, 1991, p. 472.
Ed. E. Joy, Pictorial Dictionary of British 19th Century Furniture Design, Woodbridge, reprinted 1994, pp. xlii; p. 152, bottom right. A copy of the C&R Light 1881 catalogue is in the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Light, C. & R. (1855-1925) | British and Irish Furniture Makers Online
Ed. E. Joy, Pictorial Dictionary of British 19th Century Furniture Design, Woodbridge, reprinted 1994, pp. xlii; p. 152, bottom right. A copy of the C&R Light 1881 catalogue is in the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Light, C. & R. (1855-1925) | British and Irish Furniture Makers Online
