Hobbies And Interests
The Windsor Chair
First made in the early 1700s, the Windsor chair is an example of rural English furniture, often turned by carpenters on site in the middle of woodland. It has a distinctive saddle-shaped wooden seat, with a back and arm supports formed from a single hoop of yew. Antique examples are highly collectible, especially those that show regional variations.
The Wing Chair
Like the Windsor chair, the wing chair was introduced in the early 18th century and has remained virtually unchanged in modern times. Loosely based on early French lounging chairs, it was intended for private relaxation rather than for company. It derives its name from the wings that extend from the back, shielding the sitter from drafts. Wing chairs are usually fully, and deeply, upholstered. Examples prior to 1770 have stretchers -- cross-supports to the legs.
The Library Chair
The English produced a wide variety of chairs for the library, for the desk and for reading. One of the most desirable is the Regency "bergere" library chair -- bergere meaning open-sided. This is a low, square item of furniture with a wooden framework filled in with a cane lattice. The arms have leather pads, and the chairs are fitted with cushions of buttoned leather, usually in a rich green or burgundy. Deluxe examples possess specials fittings to the ends of the arms, enabling them to accommodate candlesticks and book rests.
The Balloon-back Chair
The balloon-back chair is one of the most common items of antique English furniture found in modern times. Named for their distinctive back supports -- actually more like the face of an old tennis racquet -- balloon-backs are today thought of as being the standard Victorian dining chair. While it is true that they were used for dining, they were also employed as occasional chairs in the bedroom and even in the drawing room. The narrow lower part of the back support, rather uncomfortable for a sitter of today, was designed to accommodate the voluminous skirts of a Victorian lady.