An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800

An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800

£1,650

An unusual George III ash and elm high hoop-back Windsor armchair, circa 1800

An unusual English Windsor armchair dating to around 1800, distinguished by its particulalry tall and slender hoop back and particularly distinctive vernacular construction.

The substantial elm seat supports a remarkably lightly constructed back, formed by a high continuous hoop enclosing seven slender hand-shaped back sticks. The sticks are mortised through the upper bow, their ends remaining visible on its outer surface, and are arranged with a subtle outward splay. The unusually tall back is additionally strengthened by two heavier structural braces, quite distinct from the seven finer back sticks and passing down into the seat.

The construction of the beech arms is equally distinctive. Rather than forming part of a conventional continuous arm bow, the separate arm rails are each supported by a broad, strongly swept underarm support tenoned into the seat. This combination of a very high, lightly made hoop, separate arms and substantial structural braces gives the chair an unusually architectural appearance.

The thick elm seat acts as the structural centre of the chair, with the legs and back components mortised directly into it. The splayed front legs have an unusual but restrained turning sequence, comprising three closely grouped rings beneath the seat with a further pair of fine incised rings lower down the shafts. The rear legs are considerably plainer.

 The chair has clearly seen considerable use and retains a good worn surface, together with old repairs and movement associated with its age - there is a very small amount of play in both arms. . Traces of old green paint survive in a number of protected areas.

What particularly distinguishes the chair is the unusual combination of its exceptionally tall hoop, seven through-mortised back sticks, two heavier structural braces and independently supported arms. While each of these elements can be paralleled within English regional Windsor traditions, we have not identified another chair reproducing precisely the same arrangement.

Measuring: 107 cm (42¼”) high overall; 38.5 cm (15¼”) high to the seat; seat 43.5 cm (17¼”) wide at its widest point and 43 cm (17”) deep.

English, probably West Country, circa 1800

An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
An unusual George III elm and ash high hoop-back Windsor armchair, probably West Country, circa 1800
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