Arts & Crafts Barrel-Back Captain's Chairs in Walnut, United Kingdom, 1900s, Set of 2

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Description

Pair of walnut barrel-back armchairs - Arts & Crafts, United Kingdom, c. 1900–1910. Object: pair of armchairs/captain's chairs. International designation: … Read more Pair of walnut barrel-back armchairs - Arts & Crafts, United Kingdom, c. 1900–1910. Object: pair of armchairs/captain's chairs. International designation: Pair of Arts & Crafts barrel-back/tuba armchairs.

Origin: England, United Kingdom. Period: early 20th century. Dating: c. 1900–1910. Style: Arts & Crafts/Edwardian, with some aesthetic proximity to the late Aesthetic Movement. Wood: walnut. Seat: upholstered, covered in fabric/silk in shades of green and gold. Dimensions: 77 × 54 × 49 cm each.

Pair of English barrel-back or tub chairs, made of darkened walnut wood, featuring upholstered seats covered in silky-looking fabric in shades of olive green and gold. Each chair features a distinctive enveloping structure, with a wide, curved, horseshoe-shaped upper ring that practically describes a semicircle from the front uprights to the back of the backrest, functioning simultaneously as a backrest and armrests. The space between the upper ring and the waist of the seat is filled by a regular succession of narrow vertical slats, creating an open and rhythmic backrest. This design gives the chairs an appearance that is both architectural and light, quite representative of the pursuit of constructive simplicity characteristic of the Arts & Crafts movement. The upper ring has a slightly arched profile, rising at the rear and descending progressively towards the armrests. The seats, with an approximately semicircular/trapezoidal design following the curvature of the structure, have convex padding and are upholstered in green fabric with gold geometric decoration, fixed to the ring by a sequence of small decorative metal tacks. The waist is simple and slightly curved at the front, following the profile of the seat. The four legs are tall, straight, and square in section, practically undecorated, reinforcing the geometric simplicity of the design. They are joined by lower crossbars that form a characteristic X-shaped structure, a solution that is simultaneously functional and decorative. It is precisely this combination of: semicircular backrest + vertical slats + straight lines + absence of historicist carving + geometric structure, that leads to their classification within the British Arts & Crafts universe of around 1900.

State of conservation - The condition is consistent with approximately 120 years of use. Generalized wear of the finish is visible, including scratches, small abrasions, surface losses, and color irregularities, mainly on the upper rim, uprights, legs, and crossbars. The seat fabric shows wear and some loss of vibrancy, although it remains visually interesting. The nailing is present and contributes to the period character. One of the chairs has been restored, with an old and structurally correct intervention. There are also traces of wood-boring activity. See less