Object Description
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E.W. Godwin attributed, probably made by William Watt.
An oak Shakespeare armchair with carved and inlaid decoration. The overall form of this Shakespeare armchair conforms with the drawing and armchair designed by Godwin and made by William Watt in 1881. (I have added an image of one of the original four known Shakespeare examples for comparison. The one available is upholstered).
In Godwin’s original note books there are designs that align with this inlaid model, and the superior quality of it’s manufacture also points to William Watt. I have added five Godwin drawings here which show remarkable similarities to the design and decoration of this inlaid example.
The Godwin armchair design on the yellow paper is very close indeed to the Shakespearean example here.
The second Godwin drawing with 1876 to the top of the page and the design coloured in yellow has a head crest in a similar vein, and shows barley twist details as in the legs of the inlaid armchair listed here.
The next two drawings show the florets below the seat of the Marquetry version and one of those drawings also shows the feather carved decoration running up the sides of the back of the armchair.
The final drawing has a floret and a curling floral decoration around it which has a similar style to the curling floral decoration on the back panel of the inlaid armchair.
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