Posted 13 years ago
Hardbrake
(30 items)
On my way to the gym early on a Saturday morning in 1985 driving a 1978 Toyota, Carola, I passed a yard sale. I had no plans to go yard sale hopping that morning but the size, and bright red color of this chair made it stand out from all the other items, in the front yard. I pulled a quick u-turn and found out that the Red Velvet cover chair and ottoman were in very bad need of reupholster. I could see horse hair sticking out of a very large holes in the set in at least 10 smaller holes. I could also see that the chair was made of very thick quarter sown oak and it looked to be in very good shape. I asked the price and heard that they wanted 35.00 dollars for both items. I ask if they would take the 10 dollars I had on me and wait for my return to pick the chair up with a friends truck and the 25.00 dollars and they agreed to it. Very nice people and I returned with the truck and money about 2 hours later. I was informed then that they had a lot of people who wanted to buy the chair but they stuck to their bargain. Thanks to a very good friend of mine who has been a upholster for 50 years now I got its red velvet covering removed and a very nice cloth now replaces it. The horse hair is also gone, to bad I would have liked to have keep it but it was shot. The sides of the chair's wooden frame is 1 1/4 inches thick and the chair is about 26 inches wide. The back of the chair stands 50 inches tall. There is a very nice flower pattern on both sides of the chair both at the top and bottom. I only assume that this chair is Victorian in style if anyone has any information regarding it please let me know. Hardbrake
beautiful detail photos, thanks for sharing!
Hi Hardbrake
If you look at picture 2 of your photos here, this symbol is known as a MON or badge. It so happens that the MON you have depicted here is Imperial in nature, and that of the Emperor. Whether or not it actually has any Imperial connections is another matter but if it was indeed made before 1912 when the last Japanese Emperor fell, you could be on a very important piece
Dean
Thank You, this is quite interesting, where can I find out more information regarding the Mon or badge. I use the chair for portraits now in my little studio. Hardbrabe
Hi Hardbrake
The MON itself is Japanese and represents the Emperor. This was his official motif or seal if you like which was normally only allowed in wares that were made for the Imperial Court. This may be a reproduction but a lovely piece none the less
Dean
To bad I know nothing about other then I like the chair and I think it has a lot of style. As I described in the info related to the chair it was sold to me at a yard sale. It had been stored in a barn for quite a while but it did not m
damage the wood thank god. I will see what I can find out about it , thank you Dean you're knowledge is appreciated Hardbrabe