Antique Napoleonic Hardwood and Blue Leather Reclining Library Armchair by Robert Daws, 1830s

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Royal house antiques royal house antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning 100% period correct, fully stamped … Read more Royal house antiques royal house antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning 100% period correct, fully stamped robert daws, william iv circa 1830 mahogany reclining library reading armchair with built in footrest please note: the delivery fee shown in the listing is provided as a guide only. For uk deliveries, it covers locations within the m25. For international deliveries, it applies to select areas within local europe only. For an accurate quotation, please send your postcode or full delivery address, and we will be pleased to provide a precise delivery cost. This chair is a wonder to behold, the reclining action is operated by two buttons one under each arm, you simply squeeze the arms and then slide back to one of the many different position settings, its all very well made. The outside edge is stamped as you can see r daws under the crown with gr either side which means they were given their royal warrant under the throne of king george iii the frame is all hand carved from solid english mahogany, the oversized brass castors are period and original to the chair, the upholstery is thick napoleonic blue with silver leaf embossed detailing, it is very luxurious as you can see the foot rest sits perfectly inside the frame, it slides out easily and has a height adjustment so you can have it flat or rested on the seat condition wise we have deep cleaned, hand condition waxed and hand polished it from top to bottom, there may be some age and use related patina marks based on normal use and transport dimensions height: 102cm width: 77.5cm depth: 55cm extending to 188cm when fully reclined seat height: 46cm footstool height 33cm, raised height 43cm all measurements are taken at the widest points. Should you require any additional or more specific measurements, please do not hesitate to ask. In 1827, robert daws was one of the first to patent a reclining mechanism for a chair. Three years before his competitor george minter, his application was approved for, “certain improvements on chairs or machines calculated to encrease ease and comfort” (patent office 1827). The picture above shows the mechanism that was included within the patent for an ingenious spring loaded, ratchet system operated from underneath the armrest. This system appears on this piece and is in superb working order. Daw’s chair were numerous in decorative design but are of the quality to have featured in christopher gilbert’s renowned publication, “the pictorial dictionary of marked london furniture 1700-1840”. J.c loudon, the famous domestic style commentator and designer also gave mention of the chair within his hugely popular, “encyclopaedia of cottage, farm and villa architecture & furniture” of 1833 which saw numerous reprints throughout the following decades. Loudon writes, “figure 1913 is a view of dawe’s reclining chair for an invalid the position of the back of this chair can be varied at pleasure, and the projecting part in front can be elongated, or adjusted to any slope. When it is not wanted to be used as a reclining chair, the back can be fixed upright and the front projection slid in, so as to produce the appearance of a common easy chair.” (1833, loudon) it must be remembered that the term invalid was also regularly equated with sufferers of gout during this period. This example remains in the same working order as it would have been when it appeared in loudon’s publication. The chair, although manufactured in the 1830’s, bears the patent stamps to the back legs for 1827 the original instructions for using this chair are as follows “manner of using r. Daws’s patent recumbent easy chair. A person while sitting in the chair may fix the back to any inclination by raising the spring beneath that part of the arm where the hand rests, and while holding up both springs, press or draw the arms backward or forward to the desired situation and having loose the spring both at the same time, the back of the chair will be found perfectly safe to recline against. The back may also be raised from behind without touching the springs, or by a person at each side, the dress having been first removed out of the way of the motion of the elbows.” if you have any questions, we kindly ask that you contact us before purchasing. Condition please view the very detailed pictures as they form part of the around condition please note vintage period and original items such as leather seating will always have natural patina in the form of cracking creasing and wear, we recommend regular waxing to ensure no moisture is lost, also hand dyed leather is not recommended to sit in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time as it will dry out and fade. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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