Posted 8 years ago
dragonlover
(1 item)
I found this chair behind a pile of modern furniture in a local garage sale.
It is very solid oak, and heavy. The construction is pegged.
The top carving looks like North Wind, but I'm not sure, we rarely see any furniture of this style here.
The carving in the centre reminds me of King Arthur.
I absolutely love it, so am keen to know just what it is.
Here's hoping someone can help me ! Thank you !
I have a similar chair as well. Any idea what yours is worth?
No Dcline - I have no idea what it's worth or what it is !! Is yours the same chair ?
It's close but not the same. I did post a picture of it.
It's in the Jacobean style.
I'm wondering if anyone knows what sort of age it might be ?
That is a William & Mary style chair which if period (made during the era of the style), about 1690-1720.
If you see circular saw marks then it is unfortunately not period, made after 1840. Very nice regardless!
There are no circular saw marks.......so I presume it's the real thing ! Thank you !
So....where would it be made ?
Could be American or English or Dutch. What kind of wood is it? THAT COULD BE King Arthur! Is so, then England or an Englishman in America. Feel the chair to see how the wear is... The OP said Jacobean which is English. I hear there is a department in the Government that you can send a sample to and they will tell you the type of wood and where it came from. Science will say factually. Pictures is really not the best way to establish origin. It's fun to think about though! Whatever you do, don't clean it! The grime is important! lol
Also, the 1840 is a go to year for circular saw marks, however there are people who faithfully reproduce artistic chairs such as this using old school tools and methods. That's why if anyone were to spend a small fortune on an old chair they would buy it with right to return or ask to take a sample. If you ask a dealer the same upon purchase and they scoff at your proposal, I would walk away.
I just looked closer at the bottom pic and I see two nails holding the stretcher to the rails and that would may have been done later to strengthen it up. If the nail is home-made then that would be a good sign. If the same varnish is over the nail and the nail was a wire made nail, that would tell you it's not the original varnish. Feel the carving for sharpness because an old chair like this that was used a lot would be worn a lot.
Your in Australia! It might be Australian!
Looks like Tiger Oak to me from what I can just about see!...:-)
Never seen anything like this in Australia, nor that sort of oak ....
Tiger oak is oak that is milled into quarters at an angle to the growth rings of the tree. This method produces boards with heavy stippling visible in the grain. Tiger oak, also called quarter sawn oak and is used for cabinets, furniture and floors.
Being furnitures restores in a past life we used to see a bit of it...and looking at the seat of your chair this is what it looks like to me! anyway ..but you have it there so google and see some to compare it with..most of these chairs are imported so it's a good chance it is...it certainly looks like an oak..but as I said you have it there...:-)
Thank you Inky and backyardtresurehunter for such useful information !!