Lot 281
A late 18th century Scottish provincial stained elm open armchair The Burns 'Bletherin' Bitch' chair
Auction: 24 September 2008 at 12:00 BST
Description
with shaped top rail above silver presentation plaque in the form of a thistle, over vase splat, later upholstered seat, scroll arms and square section chamfered legs united by stretchers
Footnote
Note: This 'Bletherin' Bitch' chair was presented to the OURS Club of Glasgow, 29th October 1921 by Muirhead Moffat, on the occasion of their Golden Jubilee. The OURS Club was founded in 1871 and survives to this day. Its original longer name is the Glasgow Philological and Literary Club.
The words 'Bletherin' Bitch' appear in the Burns poem 'Epitaph on a noisy Polemic' which is about a Mr James Humphrey. He used to introduce himself to visitors from whom he hoped to obtain a trifle with 'Please Sir, I'm the bletherin' bitch.' Mr Humphrey, a Mauchline mason, was the original owner of the chair.
Muirhead Moffat was Glasgow's best known antiques dealer with palatial premises at 134 and 138 Douglas Street, and latterly at 134 Blythswood Street. It came into his possession originally when he exchanged the chair with the fine art dealer Craibe Angus & Son, of 81 Renfield Street, who was famous, along with Alexander Reid, for selling Impressionist paintings at the beginning of the 20th century. He was also an authority on Burns.
It was exhibited by the previous owner, Alexander Marshall, in the Burns Exhibition, 1896 at the Galleries of the Royal Glasgow Institute of Fine Arts in Sauchiehall Street, as lot 905.
This chair is sold with the original letters relating to its provenance.