Two Superb Regional Oak Armchairs from the Yorkshire/Lancashire Borders

A Superb Charles II Oak Armchair (on the left)

The tall flamboyant crest, with deeply carved scrolls, drooping leaves, a stylised fleur de lys, and precisely cut cross-hatching. Below the crest the single panel has a lozenge centre with four pendants pointing to the corners, and again the precise cross-hatching set in overlapping circles.

The frame to the back panel has an inner parquetry inlaid band of holly and box wood, and an outer vertical border of deep gouge carving. Supporting the frame are long carved scrolling “ears”. 

The down curved arms rest on bold turned supports, which continue below the single board seat to form the heavily turned legs, which are joined by equally heavy cross stretchers, and finish in a good turned foot, or “toe”.

All the carving is embellished with stamp decoration, and the whole chair is of the finest rich colour and surface.

English, Yorkshire, circa 1680.

Height 48 inches, across the arms 23.5 inches, depth 21 inches.

Ref 2790.

A very similar chair – certainly from the same workshop – is illustrated in Victor Chinnery’s “Oak Furniture, the British Tradition”, page 474, figure 4.126.

A Fabulous Charles II Oak Armchair

Belonging to a very small group of similar chairs thought to have been made on the Yorkshire/Lancashire borders, possibly around Burnley.

This example shows all the important characteristics – very fine linear carving, a good bold crest, this one displaying a pomegranate surrounded by scrolls and flowerheads.

The upper panel of the two-panel back has a pair of birds facing a second pomegranate, whilst the lower panel has a stylised central tree of life with leaves and flowerheads. The frame of the back has carved decoration, with a line of punched embellishments running centrally down the arms.

The driving characteristic of this group are the birdlike “ears” to each side and beneath the crest. The seat is formed from a single board, the legs well-turned and joined by stretchers. 

Wonderful colour and patina.

West Yorkshire/East Lancashire, circa 1680.

Ref 2984

Height 49 inches, across the arms 23.5 inches, depth 21.5 inches.

For three chairs from the same workshop, see Victor Chinnery, “The Age of Oak’, page 475.