E. W. Godwin, Made by William Watt, Aesthetic Movement Oak Armchair
Price on Application
This item is price on application due to its rarity and importance.
1880-1889
About this piece
E. W. Godwin, made by William Watt, this armchair in oak aligned to the Aesthetic Movement (c.1860 to c.1900), c.1880.
The chair has a broad upright form, with tall rear posts rising above the back and finished with turned finials. The upper splat band is carved with flowers, stylised leaves and circular floral devices, set above the later leather upholstered back panel. The same carved language is carried through to the arm supports, bringing the upper back and side profile together as one piece of design.
The unusual triangular arm supports are one of the strongest details of the chair. They strengthen the arms above while also providing a shaped decorative field below, carved with flowers and stylised foliage. The arms are padded in matching later leather upholstery, above a generous leather seat set within the oak frame.
The front legs are ring turned and joined by an H stretcher, with the original Copes Patent castors below. The rear legs rise in a continuous line into the back posts, giving the chair a strong architectural side profile. The combination of carved floral bands, shaped arm brackets, turned front legs and original castors relates to recorded examples of this Godwin armchair design.*
References / Provenance
* See Susan Weber Soros, The Secular Furniture of E. W. Godwin, page 127, illustration 172, and page 126, illustration 171.
