Rare Museum-Quality 17th C. Charles II English Oak Yorkshire Wainscot Armchair – Dated 1670

Details

Description

Rare Museum-Quality 17th C. Charles II English Oak Yorkshire Wainscot Armchair – Dated 1670

Own a definitive piece of British … Read more Rare Museum-Quality 17th C. Charles II English Oak Yorkshire Wainscot Armchair – Dated 1670

Own a definitive piece of British history with this exceptional Charles II Wainscot armchair. Hailing from the Yorkshire/Northern English tradition and dated "AD 1670" on the crest rail, this chair is a rare example of high-status commissioned furniture from the Jacobean era.

The chair's architecture is a masterclass in 17th-century joinery, featuring a stately high back with a meticulously relief-carved panel showcasing traditional foliate and thistle motifs. The silhouette is defined by dramatic, down-swept scrolled arms resting on sturdy turned baluster supports. The seat is an incredible rarity: a thick, original one-board oak plank. Every joint remains secured by its original hand-fitted square wooden pegs. This is not just furniture; it is a sculptural survivor of the Gilded Age of English Oak.

Artistry & Construction
The Dated Crest: The deep relief carving of "AD 1670" marks this as a piece of significant provenance, likely commissioned for a manor house or high-ranking official.

Northern Tradition: The "Yorkshire" style is evident in the specific scrolling of the ears and the "stick-and-ball" decorative turnings.

Materiality: Crafted from solid old-growth English Oak, known for its immense density and ability to develop a "glass-like" patina over centuries of hand-polishing.

Historical Significance
In the 17th century, the Wainscot chair was the "seat of honor," reserved for the master of the house while others sat on stools or benches. To find an example that has escaped the "Victorianization" (excessive sanding or refinishing) of the 19th century is remarkably rare. This chair maintains its "honest" 17th-century proportions and construction.

Dimensions
Height: 48”
Width: 25”
Depth: 27”

Condition
Very Good Antique Condition – A remarkable structural survivor. After 350+ years, the chair remains rock-solid and suitable for use. The oak displays a rich, dark authentic patina with expected surface wear, minor nicks, and shrinkage cracks consistent with its great age. The pegged joints are tight and the one-board seat is stable. Any historic evidence of woodworm is long-dormant and typical for early oak.

An investment-grade cornerstone for the collector of Early English Furniture or the designer seeking a powerful architectural statement. This 1670 Yorkshire Chair bridges the gap between the medieval world and the modern interior, offering a tangible connection to the reign of the Merry Monarch. See less