A CHILD'S OAK-FRAMED ORKNEY CHAIR
EARLY 20TH CENTURY
£688
Scottish Silver & Applied Arts
Auction: 14 August 2019 at 11:00 BST
Description
the curved woven straw back above open arms and drop-in cord seat raised on square legs linked by stretchers
Dimensions
42cm wide, 60cm high, 40cm deep
Footnote
Note: Rooted in traditional craftsmanship, the Orkney Chair has evolved over time from a low round stool completely covered in straw, to a distinctive low chair with a straw back. On the largely treeless northern isles, straw quickly became an important alternative material for the manufacture of furniture and other practical domestic items. Some designs feature a hood, thought to provide shelter from any draughts. Later, inset seats began to replace solid wooden bases and the chairs were made commercially by local craftsmen such as David Kirkness. Retailers such as Liberty of London regularly sold Orkney chairs during the early 20th century.