Were the wainscot chairs made for the upper class? Is this something that a person would have had in a parlor to impress people with? I know I like them and am impressed! Also, I know from reading your blog for a long time that much of this furniture is from or inspired from Devon, England. Have you ever come across French furniture that is carved in a similar way? I haven't, but I don't know anything either.
Dan - wainscot chairs are not for the lowest classes of people in England and New England, more like what we would call "middle-class" today. People of some means, but not necessarily wealthy. Upholstered chairs, wool or leather were the high-status chairs of that period. I focus a lot on the furniture from Devon - but carved oak furniture was made all over England and New England - I wouldn't want you to think that Devon is unusual in that regard. It's just a particular style from there (& transferred to Ipswich Massachusetts) that captivates me. Among others too - I do study & copy other areas. French furniture - I've not seen it in person, but some readers have sent me photos and some of the furniture history stuff I've studied with my friend Bob Trent draws on French work of that period. Oak, highly decorated. Mortise & tenon. All familiar stuff.
I recently booked a commission for walnut boxes for urns with strap work carving. 4 of them. Excited to get them underway.
The Brewster/Bradford chair does not look like fun to make, or to sit in. The base does look like a good place to trap a crawling baby.
Hi Peter,
Were the wainscot chairs made for the upper class? Is this something that a person would have had in a parlor to impress people with? I know I like them and am impressed! Also, I know from reading your blog for a long time that much of this furniture is from or inspired from Devon, England. Have you ever come across French furniture that is carved in a similar way? I haven't, but I don't know anything either.
Daninmaine
Dan - wainscot chairs are not for the lowest classes of people in England and New England, more like what we would call "middle-class" today. People of some means, but not necessarily wealthy. Upholstered chairs, wool or leather were the high-status chairs of that period. I focus a lot on the furniture from Devon - but carved oak furniture was made all over England and New England - I wouldn't want you to think that Devon is unusual in that regard. It's just a particular style from there (& transferred to Ipswich Massachusetts) that captivates me. Among others too - I do study & copy other areas. French furniture - I've not seen it in person, but some readers have sent me photos and some of the furniture history stuff I've studied with my friend Bob Trent draws on French work of that period. Oak, highly decorated. Mortise & tenon. All familiar stuff.