Lot 112
A SCOTTISH OAK ORKNEY CHAIR, DAVID MUNRO KIRKNESS, KIRKWALL
EARLY 20TH CENTURY
Auction: Day One | Wednesday 19 August from 10am | Lots 1 - 198
Description
with woven straw back, above open scroll end arms and seagrass drop-in seat, on square tapering legs linked by stretchers, the frame stamped below the seat ‘D. M. Kirkness, Kirkwall, Orkney, Made in Scotland' and with initials ’R L' centred by a thistle
Dimensions
107cm high, 104cm wide, 59cm deep
Footnote
Kirkness was the pioneer of Orkney straw-backed chairs from the 1880s until his death in 1936. Born on the island of Westray in 1855, both his father and grandfather were joiners. Kirkness moved to Kirkwall to be apprenticed to the joiner, John Pearce of Albert Street. In about 1880 he established his own business as carpenter, joiner and undertaker. He started to specialise in the manufacture of Orkney chairs, c. 1884, and his workshop and dwelling were at 12-14 Palace Street (later Palace Road) for his rest of his life. He employed craftsmen in his workshop to make the wooden frames, which were then sent out to workers on different islands to make the backs.
The rise of the Arts & Crafts Movement in both Scotland and England from the 1880s undoubtedly helped the popularity of the Orkney straw-backed chairs. He supplied both Liberty's and Wylie & Lockhead and the ‘straw chair’ graced many drawing & sitting rooms designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and other architect/designers. It is believed that his workshop produced approximately 14,000 chairs in the period of 1884-1936. His business offered a range of Orkney chairs of different sizes and styles (Hooded, Gentleman’s, Lady’s and Child’s), colour, finishes, and seats of rush or wood seats. Cubbies or caises (traditional baskets) were often supplied with chair commissions.
After Kirkness’ death, Reynold Eunson, a wood sculptor and carver, moved into his premises in Palace Road and continued the business producing traditional Orkney chairs and stools, as well as church furniture and furnishings.
Examples of Kirkness chairs, label and price list are illustrated in Cotton, Scottish Vernacular Furniture (2020), p. 258-261. A further example dated 1921 with his label ‘Joiner and Orkney Chair Maker’ made from oak from St Magnus’s Cathedral are illustrated in Gilbert, English Vernacular Furniture 1750-1900 (1991), fig. 237. A hooded Kirkness chair, c. 1890-1900, is in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum, (W.1-2012) and two examples of the Gentleman's chair, c. 1900, are at the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh (H.KN 3 & H.KN 10).