Round Rush Seated Sussex Chair by Morris & Co

Seating

SOLD

A nice example of the rarer round rush seat chair from the Morris & Co “Sussex” range, which was first inspired by “an old chair of village manufacture picked up in Sussex”, according to Professor J W Mackail in his “Life of William Morris” (1901). Having a spindle frame with cross-shaped splat and ring turned legs.

This particular design was attributed to the Pre-Raphaelite artist Ford Madox Brown (1821-1893), painter of the iconic image “The Last of England” (1855). He was one of the original partners in the firm of Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co, which later became Morris & Co. This chair was in production from about 1865, and inspired the “Argyll” range of chairs and settees, (with a slightly modified design to the back and legs), introduced by Liberty & Co in their Art Furniture catalogue of 1884.

This chair design, made of beech, stained black (ebonised), still featured in the Morris & Co catalogue of 1910/11, (page 63), where it was priced at 10 shillings and sixpence.

Strong joints and good colour with only some wear to the top rails. Some damage to the original rush seat.

Circa 1880s.

Dimensions:

Height: 84 cm (33 inches)

Height of seat: 43 cm (17 inches)

Width: 41.9 cm (inches)

Depth: 43 cm (inches)