A RARE CHARLES II OAK TWIN-PANELLED BACK ARMCHAIR

A RARE CHARLES II OAK TWIN-PANELLED BACK ARMCHAIR

NORTH-EAST ENGLAND, C.1660
the back with paired lozenge carved panels, below a lunette carved rail and above a dog tooth punch decorated moulded rail, the double scroll shaped cresting enhanced with similar decoration, with a boarded seat, the arms on rising baluster turned front supports, with matching front legs, joined all round by plain stretchers

108.5cm high, 60cm wide, 58cm deep

Catalogue Note
The narrow opening to the back of the seat is a distinctive regional feature. It is found on no other British armchair, apart from so-called ‘Durham’ examples (see lot 1013 in this sale) or on upholstered armchairs. See Tobias Jellinek, Early British Chairs and Seats 1500 to 1700, p. 179, the opening is referred to as a ‘letter-box'.