Accession Number

983.574

Description

This oak chair with a carved open back has a scooped seat with each high side topped by a wavy molding, the chair standing on four turned legs.

Narrative

This chair has fascinated Castle visitors and staff since it was acquired by James K. Nesbitt, founding President of The Castle Society. The antique dealer that sold it to him said that it was designed to hold swords. He said that the blades/scabbards were supposed to rest in the troughs of the wavy moldings and to span across the concave seat. Belts and other ancillary components were to rest in the concave seat or hang from the tall finials of the chair's back. Other examples of this design have not been found, and the stated purpose of the chair is suspect. In 2004, The Castle Society corresponded with Curator Nick Humphries of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, England. He wrote:

"I can find no reference to sword chairs in our records. I do think that your chair has been made up using some ready-made elements rather than being designed from scratch. The back portion derives from the design of Italian 17th century chairs, amalgamated with what looks like the back feet and front legs of a late 17th century English chair. The overall dark stain on the chair was probably applied by a restorer as this is an almost standard treatment by restorers."

It is hoped that one day a furniture expert will provide information confirming that this chair was designed to hold swords or that it was not.
 

History of Use

This chair was purchased by Castle Society President James K. Nesbitt from an antique dealer on Victoria's Fort Street. The vendor told Mr. Nesbitt that it was a "sword chair", but the Society's records do not describe the chair's history of use or ownership prior to its acquisition. 

Date

circa 1890

Material

Wood, oak