{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O167596"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O167596/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2012FF8446/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2012FF8446/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2012FF8446","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O167596/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O167596","accessionNumber":"CIRC.216-1923","objectType":"Chair","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"This kind of chair was known in 17th century Britain as a 'backstool' - literally, a stool with a  back attached. It was the standard type of seating - often fitted with textile or leather covers - from 1615 until about 1670, when fashionable chair-backs became higher and the back legs were raked backwards for greater stability. This chair is raked above seat level but the back legs are vertical. The sturdy construction and leather covers would have made it practical piece for regular domestic use.\n\nThe upholstery of such seats is simple in construction, with webbing and base cloth nailed to the frame, padding of grass or  horsehair (sometimes stitched to help keep it from forming lumps), and a top cover of leather nailed around the seat rails. Best quality 'Russia' leather (from calf or cowhide) had an impressed pattern and was found in red, green and yellow as well as brown.\n\nOn loan to Woolsthorpe Manor (National Trust).","physicalDescription":"Joined chair (back stool) with leather seat and rectangular back panel. Above the seat the uprights are slightly raked. The front legs and front stretcher (at mid-height) are bobbin turned. Brown leather covers, with brassy, round-headed nails, is applied over the the seat (nailed onto the outside faces of the chair rails), back panel and back uprights where they are exposed between the seat and back. The oak appears to be wavy-grain, fast growth. In fair, restored condition.\n\nModifications\nBack right upright with modern scarfed repair at mid-section.\nRails at front and sides show previous nail holes for a seat cover.\nNotable wear on front stretcher.\nLeather covers have been conserved (and mounted on oilcloth in places), with new webbing and basecloth underneath. The round-headed brass nails (of two sizes) appear to be modern.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"maker","id":"x40240"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"oak","id":"AAT12264"},{"text":"leather","id":"AAT11845"}],"techniques":[{"text":"turning","id":"AAT53158"},{"text":"upholstery","id":"x37978"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Oak, with leather upholstery and brass-headed nails","categories":[{"text":"Furniture","id":"THES48948"},{"text":"Woodwork","id":"THES48877"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"FWK","id":"THES48597"},"images":["2012FF8446"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"NTWM","id":"THES50005"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Chair","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"England","id":"x28826"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1660-1700","earliest":"1660-01-01","latest":"1700-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"92.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"12/11/2014","earliest":"2014-11-12","latest":"2014-11-12"},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"48.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"48.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Height","value":"49","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"seat height","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Two leather covered chairs (W.9-1923 and Circ.216-1923), purchased for £9  from Miss A.M. Lyster,\r\nThe Old Homes Art Bureau, 16, Eccleston Street, London SW1 21/2/23. RF 23/1569\r\n'Leather torn, repaired'\n\nOn loan to Woolsthorpe Manor (upstairs chamber), 2014.\r\n\r\nNotes from R.P. 23/1408 & 23/1569\r\nListed on form\r\nAs \"1 Chair Cromwellian covered in leather - £9\"\r\n\r\nMinute Papers\r\nRecord their condition as \"chipped,…..leather worn & damaged\".\r\n\r\n23/2/23 H Clifford Smith\r\nsupports purchase stating \"These Cromwellian oak chairs belong to a type which is inadequately represented in the Museum.  They are in original condition & have their old leather covers\".\r\n\r\nOn loan at Tamworth Castle from 19xx to 2009\nOn loan to Woolsthorpe Hall, Lincolnshire (National Trust) from c2011\n\nChinnery, p. 278 suggests that the postioning of the front stretcher at mid-height indicates a date after 1660.\n\nA leather-covered chair of similar form, but with an arched back, was sold from the Butler Collection by Bearnes, Hampton Littlewood, 10 March 2020, lot 499.  This had a similar form of stitching on the centre of the seat and it was noted that it 'bears evidence of original grass stuffing in the upholstery'. ","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Chair (or back stool) with leather covered seat and back panel","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["CIRC.216-1923"],"accessionNumberNum":"216","accessionNumberPrefix":"CIRC","accessionYear":1923,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-12-19","recordCreationDate":"2008-09-24","availableToBook":false}}