Accession Number

986.007

Alternate Name

tablet-arm armchair

Description

One walnut armchair with a horizontally-oriented turned spindle back and turned side rails with ball finials. The plain open wooden arms terminate with a curl at the hand rest. The turned front legs have a squared section at the centre. The turned back legs become squared at the seat level and splay backwards to the floor. There are stuffed back and seat cushions covered in a gold brocade fabric. The back cushion is tied to the chair's rectangular back frame beneath the finials. An adjustable wooden book rest with a narrow shelf along its bottom is supported by a swiveling arm made of brass which is fitted into a cast brass holder screwed to the left arm and leg of the chair.

History of Use

This chair was used by James and Laura Dunsmuir at their homes, Burleith, and Hatley Park.  On Tuesday, June 6, 1939 the chair was auctioned by Maynard's Auctioneers from the boudoir at Hatley Park. It was listed on page 22 of the catalogue as lot #801. To see the catalogue listing, click here: https://collection.thecastle.ca/Detail/objects/3202#

The buyer was Victor Sherman, a retired banker from India who resided in Victoria at the time of the sale. In 1986, Mr. Sherman's daughter's husband donated the chair to Craigdarroch Castle. 

Date

circa 1895

Material

Wood, walnut; Metal, brass; Fabric

Technique

Machined; Cast; Turned