E. W. Godwin Attributed, Pair of Anglo-Japanese Walnut Low Side Nursing Chairs
£1,800 / item
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Width: 18.5 in (47 cm)
Depth: 20.87 in (53 cm)
1880-1889
About this piece
Attributed to E. W. Godwin, these nursing or low side chairs in walnut, one with a rush seat and the other with a sea grass seat, aligned to the Aesthetic Movement (c.1860 to c.1900), c.1880.
The chairs have tall open backs formed with horizontal rails and grouped vertical supports, the back uprights curving gracefully from the scroll-shaped top down into the rear legs. Identical to the William Watt side chair illustrated in last image.*
The seats are woven in different natural fibres, one in rush and the other in sea grass, each drawn inward to a central meeting point. The front legs are turned and incised, with a subtle outward splay to the feet. They are united by rows of turned stretchers, including three front stretchers and side stretchers set at staggered levels, giving the lower frame a light but carefully ordered structure.
The turned detailing to the front legs and stretchers is reminiscent of the legs on the rosewood coffee table referenced in the second last image** The spacing of the front stretchers, side stretchers and single rear stretcher also relates to other Anglo-Japanese side chairs designed by Godwin.***
REFERENCES / PROVENANCE
* Comparative image, William Watt side chair. See Last Image.
** Comparative image, rosewood coffee table. See 2nd Last Image.
*** Susan Weber Soros, The Secular Furniture of E. W. Godwin, p. 112, illustrations 136 and 136.1, and p. 117, illustration 141.1, for related Godwin Anglo-Japanese side chair designs.
