A rare 19th century antique Welsh folk art lipwork chair

A rare early 19th century Welsh antique lip-work arm chair, dating to the early 1800s. 

Constructed from lip work; the basketry technique of coiling straw rope together. The straw formed from wheat or barley would be bound together using strips of bark from holly, bramble etc.

This type of basketry constructed chair is recognised to closely resemble the ancient woven chairs in Roman illustrations. Woven straw furniture is often mentioned in English inventories from the Middle Ages onwards. The few examples that remain privately owned or in museum archive, tend to be held in Wales and the Border Counties. It is accepted that they may originally have been common throughout other parts of England. 

Lipwork was used to construct various domestic items including storage vessels, beehives and even furniture. Hooded or canopied lip-work chairs are known to be a regional type from South-East Wales. Similar examples held within the Amgueddfa Cymru archives are referred to as Harpist’s chairs. These all are of hooded design and originate from Wales.

J.C. Loudon, An Enyclopaedia of Cottage, Farm and Villa Architecture and Furniture, London 1833: “…In Monmouthshire easy chairs with hoods, like porter’s chairs in gentleman’s halls, are constructed of straw matting on a frame of wooden rods, or stout wire, and chairs are made entirely of straw in different  parts of England in the same way as the common beehives…”

The wonderful example we have for sale is certainly a rare survivor considering the fragile nature of the straw, and the age of the piece. 

The chair is constructed almost entirely from lip-work with just a few pieces of ash framing the base. The front aspect is covered with a canvas like fabric which appears to be original to the chair. This fabric was originally black in appearance. It has been historically painted twice, with the painted surface showing considerable signs of aging.

The chair’s shrouded design makes for a wonderful cosy space to sit. It has a charming country folk art sculptural aesthetic.  

It truly does conjure up images of the old cottage interiors. These chairs are so scarce with so few on the open market. 

It remains still fully usable and bares weight, which is even more surprising, given the chair is around 200 years old.

Certainly desirable and not one to be missed.

Dimensions:-

Height - 127.5cm

Widest point - 77.5cm

Depth - 84cm

Seat height - 40cm

Seat depth - 40cm

Backrest height - 83cm

The chair is found in original condition with the lipwork showing no signs of repair.

All of the timber sections to the base appear original.

Some wear and tear and loss to the canvas.

The back right section to the base has deformed ever so slightly, causing a very gently lean. 

Signs of wear to one edge of the lipwork, this would be most likely caused from the chair being placed up to a wall.

One original iron nail head stands slightly proud of the seat panel surface. The nail is bent over but does remain slightly raised from the lipwork.

We would suggest to help give support the chair might best placed up to a wall for continued use. Although it does stand freely, the chair is obviously of considerable age and originality. 

Some signs of historic woodworm to the timber sections. Although this is non active and has been treated for peace of mind.

*Please note delivery fee is based on UK mainland, for Scotland and Wales please request a delivery quote prior to committing to purchase*