Accession Number

983.343.001.001

Description

A wooden armchair with upholstered seat and back, with padded arms, the mauve upholstery fabric faded to a greyish-purple colour. The crested chairback includes a carving of a woman's head in the centre. The front legs are encircled by an octagonal and spherical design at their top. There are brass casters on the front legs.

Narrative

The history of use of this chair and its matching side chairs make them a very important part of Craigdarroch's collection.

History of Use

This chair and the other two chairs comprising the set were used by Robert and Joan Dunsmuir at Fairview, their residence at the corner of Victoria's Menzies and Quebec streets. It is possible that they used them previously at Ardoon, their Nanaimo house.

When Craigdarroch was completed in 1890, the set was brought from Fairview to the Castle and used there until Mrs. Dunsmuir's death in 1908. In June, 1909, Mr. and Mrs. Duncan E. Campbell attended Mrs. Dunsmuir's Executor's auction at Craigdarroch and bought the set. The set was later donated to The Castle Society by their daughter, Mrs. George Tyson, the mother of Canadian composer and vocalist Ian Tyson.<sup>1

1. The Society for The Preservation and Maintenance of Craigdarroch Castle, report to members June 23, 1980.</sup>

Date

circa 1880

Dimensions

119 x 66 cm

Material

Wood, walnut; Fabric; Metal, brass; Metal, steel

Technique

Carved; Cast; Milled; Upholstered

School/Style

Renaissance Revival

Country of Origin

United States of America