Roycroft
Rare double Morris chair


USA, c. 1905
oak, leather
44 h x 49 w x 40 d in (112 x 124 x 102 cm)

Carved orb and cross mark to front stretcher.

Provenance: Collection of Christopher "Kip" Forbes | Rago, The Christopher Forbes Collection, 27 October 2012, Lot 9 | Private Collection

Literature: "Living with Antiques", Antiques Magazine, October 1983, pg. 760 illustrates this example "Rancho Roycroft", Style 1900, Summer 2012, pg. 33 illustrates this example "Forbes Trinchera Ranch", Architectural Digest, June 1988 illustrates this example Head, Heart and Hand, Elbert Hubbard and the Roycrofters, Via and Searl (eds.), pg. 67 illustrates similar example

Catalog Note: On October 27, 2012, Rago auctioned material from the southern Colorado estate of Christopher "Kip" Forbes, one of the heirs to Malcolm Forbes' publishing group, Vice Chairman of Forbes, and a passionate collector of Arts & Crafts furniture, lighting, metalwork, pottery, Navajo rugs, and more. The sale included a selection of impressive interior elements from Kip Forbes' two houses near the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

In particular, Forbes admired and curated a wide range of forms by Roycroft artisans. Among the examples that he had in his collection were a one-of-a-kind chair made by noted designer Dard Hunter, a leaded-glass window from the Roycroft Inn in East Aurora, New York, Roycroft chandeliers and table lamps, American Beauty vases, and multiple Morris chairs, including one rare Double Morris chair on offer in the present lot. This Roycroft Double Morris chair was previously part of the seating arrangement in the great room of Forbes' Schley House.

This work will ship from Chicago, Illinois.

Cleaned original finish with good original color. Original spring foundation. Replaced hand-stitched leather cushions. Hinges supporting back have probably been replaced. Structurally sound.