Leicestershire Comb-Back Windsor Armchair, C.1780–1800

A rare and substantial comb-back Windsor armchair from Leicestershire, dating to the late 18th century. The tall comb-back, rising to over 111 cm, is formed from a steam-bent ash top rail with fifteen spindles set into a continuous bent ash arm-bow, supported with shaped uprights. The broad saddle seat is carved from a single elm plank and raised on baluster-turned beech legs united by a robust turned H-form stretcher.

Although unstamped, this armchair shares key features and could possibly be with the work of W. Rowe of Hallaton, Leicestershire. The tall comb-back, generous elm seat, and boldly turned undercarriage seen here are characteristic of his workshop and circle.

As is typical of Windsor construction, different timbers were chosen for their qualities: elm for the seat, ash for the bent elements, and beech for the turned undercarriage. To unify these mixed woods and protect the surface, chairs were painted. Here, much of the chair is painted in layered tones of blue, green, and light green, with the upper coat a strong blue.

This painted tradition reaches back to the earliest forest chairs of the 18th century—rustic outdoor seats often painted green to blend with natural surroundings—which later evolved into more refined domestic forms. The combination of scale, layered paint, and regional character makes this a notable example of the Windsor tradition.

Dimensions

Seat height: 37 cm
Seat width: 56 cm
Seat depth: 49 cm