Lot 189
A LATE VICTORIAN ASH AND BEECH 'DARVEL' ARMCHAIR
19TH CENTURY
Scottish Silver & Applied Arts
Auction: 16 August 2017 at 12:00 BST
Description
with comb back above a solid seat, raised on turned legs linked by stretchers
Dimensions
Width: 59cm, height: 108cm, depth: 37cm
Footnote
Literature: Jones, David, 'Darvel Chairs', Regional Furniture Society, 1995
Hunter, Stephen, 'Darvel Chair Update', Regional Furniture Society
Note: The manufacturing town of Darvel, some twenty-four miles south of Glasgow was a centre of production for linen cloth and cotton muslins during the 18th and 19th centuries. As a result of the booming trade, the population of the town increased by 75 per cent, thereby inviting a steady income and arena for furniture making too. Timber (particularly elm and ash) was plentiful and woodworking skills were developed to a high level, thanks to the local tradesmen making looms for the textile industry. Although there were changes in the industry, chair production continued during the 19th century, and extended beyond the town of Darvel into areas east of Glasgow. The chairs are characteristic due to their shape and construction, with "idiosyncratic seats, which correspond exactly with the shape of the arm bow" and it is noted that "the seats have 'ears' at their front corners", according to David Jones.