Object Description
A mahogany Ship’s Chair from RMS Olympic, the White Star Line’s lead ship and older sister of the Titanic.
This chair is identical to those used in the Second Class Dining Room, save for the legs and flip up seat. The Titanic was also fitted with similar furniture. It is narrow from front to back with a distinctive shape and carving to the top and turned legs to the front. The round seat is fitted to the frame by 2 rods allowing it to tip backwards. There is also an iron bar between the top of the front legs to support the seat when down.
The majority of chairs in the dining rooms had iron bases and were bolted down to fix their position, with a swivel seat. It’s probable that this chair was used occasionally on the end of a table etc. to accommodate an extra guest. It’s wooden legs and space saving tip up seat meant it could easily be moved for use and reduced in depth for storage.
The Olympic was built before the Titanic and was in use from 1911 to 1935. Her history and images of her dining rooms, showing similar chairs, can be easily found online. Its likely this chair was made in the Harland and Wolff workshops in Belfast. The ship was broken up in 1935 and much of her fittings and furniture sold off. Chairs from the Olympic do not come to the market often. Circa 1911.