chair
Object
Accession Number
983.506.002Description
An upholstered, wooden, rectangular backed parlour chair with French cabriole legs and cresting rail decorated in a floral pattern. Upholstered in blue Berlin wool work with a pink and white floral design at the centre.Narrative
Berlin Woolwork is a style of counted thread needlework, a technique where stitches are made at regular intervals across the support fabric. Worked in a cross-stitch or tent stitch across the entire support fabric, it creates a strong, durable material that is perfect for upholstery. This pieces is completed in tent stitch.
Berlin wool work became extremely popular in the mid 19th century. The pre-printed, easy to follow patterns were accessible to the growing middle class and the development of synthetic dyes allowed detailed shading to be used to depict realistic, almost three dimensional designs.
History of Use
The history of the chair frame is unknown. It likely dates to about 1870. The needlework was done by the late Mrs. Herbert Davey in about 1955. She was a noted Victoria needle-worker during the mid 20th Century.Mrs. Davey and her husband, Chief Justice Herbert W. Davey of the BC Court of Appeal, used this chair and its mate at their Victoria house.
Date
circa 1870Dimensions
215.9 x 134.62 x 116.84 cmMaterial
Fabric, wool; WoodTechnique
StitchedRelated person/business/organization
Mrs. Herbert William Davey (artist)Related Objects
chair, 983.506.001 (is related to)
