“Knaresborough” Ash & Elm Windsor Armchair C.1820

An incredibly rare and early North Yorkshire Windsor Armchair. Created in Knaresborough, approximately 200 years ago c.1820.

Constructed from ash and elm, with wonderful washed patination.

This chair attributed to a Knaresborough maker because of the turned inward movement on the hoop, typical and distinctively unique to this historical Yorkshire town.

Worth noting, there are similar examples in the publication “Windsor Chairs From The Vale Of York”- Adam Bowett’. The map in the book features a particular area within the Vale of York, of which these chairs originate:
[…] “This article is concerned with only one of these types, whose incidence is highest within a relatively small area in the Vale of York roughly defined by the line York-Harrogate- Bedale-Northallerton-York. Although varying much in detail, they share one feature which appears to be unique among British Windsor chairs. The top bow is round in section and has a two-dimensional or compound curve; it is not only arched, as are all Windsor top bows, but it is also curved backwards. This gives the chair a barrel-shaped back which is amazingly comfortable, and suggests a sophistication of design which belies their often crude appearance.” […]

The chair is structurally sound and could be used daily. There is an organic knot hole in the seat, which only adds to the charm of this folk art piece.

Primitive, tactile and rustic.