Hobbies And Interests
Backs
The backs of wave rush chairs are where the most significant variations of style occur, especially in regard to the top rail. For instance, in the United Kingdom, chairs from Yorkshire will have a full-shaped wavy top rail, while those from the Midlands have a semi-wavy top rail with a straight upper edge. Meanwhile, the majority of wave rush chairs have an entirely straight, undecorated top rail. In the U.S., chairs from New England have the full-shaped top rail, but balanced on either side with tall, tapering finials.
Rush Seating
On American chairs, the rushes usually spread to cover the front and side rails of the seat. On British chairs, this feature is found on chairs from Yorkshire, while further south the rushes are commonly set within the rails.
Legs
On vintage examples, the rear legs will have a square profile. On chairs from the North of England, the front legs tend to be slender and relatively unadorned. Front legs turned on a lathe into a chunky baluster shape -- rather like sausage links - can be found on some U.S. examples. Chairs will square front legs are modern and mass-produced.
Feet
Most vintage rush wave chairs, from whatever region, would originally have had pad feet -- protruding feet that look a little like paws. Some fine-quality examples have raised pad feet -- another small disc of wood under the pad, protecting it from contact with the floor. Because these chairs were destined for rural environments where the floors were often damp, it isn't uncommon for the original feet to have rotted away and for the whole chair to have been cut down several inches.
Wood
European rush wave chairs were usually made from oak and ash, American examples from pine and local hardwoods. Finishes such as painting and staining were much more common in America than in the U.K., where a transparent lacquer was generally preferred.