Pair of Decorative High Back Windsor Chairs

Two very closely matched "Best High" Windsor Armchairs, in yew wood, with elm seats. By many, this type of chair is thought to demonstrate the finest skills in chairmaking. The decoratively fretted splats contain seven piercings in the top splat, and three in the bottom splat. The legs, which are joined by a crinoline stretcher, have a complicated turning, which finishes in a hoof foot. The chairmaker chose his timber well, with plenty of small black knots to contrast with the rich red of the yew. Although unsigned, these chairs were certainly made in Worksop, or Rockley, by the Allsop, Gabbitass, Godfrey or Walker families. Circa 1840.

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