Object Description
A rare pair of late 19th century ‘His’ & ‘Hers’ ebonised Sussex armchairs of unusual design attributed to Morris & Co.
This pair of ‘His’ & ‘Hers’ armchairs would have been made especially for a couple to use in their home as the sizes slightly differ, also the design of these armchairs is more refined than the usual Sussex chair, these having more spindles on the back, spindles under the arms and outswept tapered legs to both the front and back of the chairs.
This pair of armchairs each consist of a shaped top rail, the back having seven turned spindles with turned uprights to either side.
The arms and turned arm supports are fixed through the seat rail, this being a design only found on the Sussex chair, the arms also with seven turned spindles which is an unusual design, leading down to rush seats both in very good condition.
The armchairs are supported by turned tapered outswept legs to the front which an unusal design joined by a turned stretcher and outswept legs to the back joined with turned stretchers.
The Sussex chair, originally designed by Phillip Webb, was introduced by Morris & Co (William Morris) around 1864 remaining popular for many years and was still being produced, still featuring in their catalogue of 1911.
The Sussex chair was based on a country chair of similar design found in the county of Sussex, it brought a refreshing style to furniture as it was of simple structure, mainly made from beech and often stained in black or ‘ebonised’ with a rush seat and ideal for the smaller property.
William Morris used the Sussex chairs in his own houses as did his great friend, the artist Edward Burne-Jones.
The Sussex chair also influenced other top designers of the time such as Liberty & Heals who produced their own versions such as the ‘Argyll’ range at Liberty & Co.
This pair of armchairs are in very good condition for age, are of stable construction and can go straight into a home.
Size – ‘His’ armchair:
Height: 37” / 94cm
Width: 21.5” / 54.5cm
Depth: 22” / 56cm
Seat height: 17” / 43cm
Sizes – ‘Hers’ armchair:
Height: 35.75’’ / 90.75cm
Width: 20’’ / 50.75cm
Depth: 21’’ / 53.25cm
Seat height: 16.5’’ / 42cm