A superb Scottish Darvel Chair of beautiful form & quality.
An exceptional mid-19th-century high comb-back armchair originating from the historic chairmaking hub of the Irvine Valley in Ayrshire, Scotland (attributed to the Darvel/Newmilns region). Exhibiting the finest hallmarks of Scottish vernacular design, this piece features a characteristically dramatic, raked backrest with slender spindles flaring out to a broad, gently curved top cresting rail. Darvel chairs have such a lovely “Rakish” stance, meaning they have a lovely backwards lean making them all the more comfortable.
Also typical of Scottish Darvel chairs (known as Windsor chairs in England) it has a thick, solid D-shaped slab seat that is subtly contoured to the front for comfort and slopes elegantly to the rear. The chair also has a multi-piece wishbone arm bow that is expertly constructed using traditional overlapping scarf joints, supported by plain, understated spindle supports that exhibit wonderful age-related wear to all primary touchpoints.
Raised on its original, dramatically splayed, unturned tapered legs, this chair boasts an exceptional historic silhouette and retains a beautifully rich, dark historic patina even showing remnants of green paint which was typically used as decoration or to hide mixtures of woods in these types of furnitures.
A quintessential, highly collectible statement piece of British country furniture, made all the more interesting being made in Scotland as opposed to the huge market of Windsor chairs we see hailing from near here in England.
Scotland 1830-50.
Highly original condition with historic iron supports.
Worldwide delivery available, not included. Please enquire before purchasing or collect from our London gallery by appointment.
