A harlequin set of eight carved oak side chairs or 'joined backstools'
Late 17th century and later, South Yorkshire/Derbyshire
Each chair with differing interlaced carving and ornament, all with scroll carved decoration, on bobbin or block-and-baluster turned legs, of various proportions, the tallest chair: 46cm wide x 42cm deep x 110cm high, (18in wide x 16 1/2in deep x 43in high) (8)
Footnotes:
The various chairs or 'joined backstools' which altogether comprise the offered lot are similar to several individual examples illustrated in V. Chinnery, Oak Furniture, The British Tradition, 1984, Woodbridge, fig.'s 4:139, 4:140, 4:141 and 4:142, pp.'s 478-479. These comparables are described as being of South Yorkshire origin and are all dated to the period 1670-1700.
This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: TP
TP Lots will be moved to an offsite storage location (Constantine, Constantine House, North Caldeen Road, Coatbridge ML5 4EF, Scotland, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue. Please refer to the catalogue for further information.
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Each chair is of different design but all appear to largely date to the late 17th century, albeit with signs of various later repairs and replacements.
A dark varnish has been used to conceal old worm damage to most chairs although with some it is possible this varnish has been used more for the purpose of unifying the overall appearance of these eight disparate chairs.
The front legs of one chair look to be of a later date.
The majority of the seats are replacements, but at least three seem to be period.
There is a split running from the front to the back of one period seat, with other shrinkage also apparent.
Shrinkage to the old seats commensurate with age.
Loss along the front edge of one period seat.
The upholstered seats are later additions.
One splat apparently later.
Signs of old worm.
The base of the legs on three chairs appear to have been tipped or replaced.
Some stretcher elements later, probably due to historic wear and tear.
The lower third section of two rear legs are probably later.
The legs on one chair seem to have been majorly restored.
All chairs in good decorative, sound and ready to use order.