The Chair: 18th Century to the Present Day

This Spring, our Glasgow gallery will host an exhibition devoted to The Chair, an object utilised by most that excellently reflects the developments in furniture design - from aesthetic trends to new materials and production technologies.

The exhibition highlights include a named Darvel chair from the West Coast of Scotland, a Charles Rennie Mackintosh ladderback chair for Miss Cranston’s Tearooms, a bespoke piece by international contemporary designer Tim Gosling and a pair of Paul Tuttle ‘Zeta’ lounge chairs.

Curator of the exhibition, James McNaught said, “We are delighted to display the exhibition in our Glasgow gallery and include chairs that are consigned for sale in the upcoming Spring auction calendar to feature in our Five Centuries, Decorative Arts and Modern Made auctions.”

Chairs in the exhibition come from all parts of Scotland, the USA, England, Switzerland and France. One of the most striking chairs is by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Mackintosh made a name for himself designing the interiors of the hugely successful society tea rooms of the late 19th and 20th century in Glasgow. The chair was designed in 1903 to be used in the main parlour of the Willow Tea Rooms in Sauchiehall Street.

Other key works by iconic Scottish designers include Sir Basil Spence’s Allegro armchair and a scarce ebony armchair by George Henry Walton made for Miss Cranston’s Buchanan Street Tearooms in Glasgow. Another chair of note, is the “Darvel” from the West Coast of Scotland. Made in the 19th century this example is stamped by a newly identified maker J McKellar, probably an apprentice for the established maker John McMath.

Paul Tuttle was an American furniture designer, but also known for his interior and architectural work. He had no formal training but took inspiration form working with renowned names such as Frank Lloyd Wright. The Zeta chair gets its name from the z shaped frame.

Dates for Your Diary

The Chair: 18th Century to the Present Day

Curated by James McNaught and Katie Hannah 

02 to 27 March 2020 | 10am to 5pm weekdays | Entry is free

182 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4HG

glasgow@lyonandturnbull.com | +44 (0)141 333 1992