Aesthetic Period Carved Sunflower Chair

Aesthetic period sunflower chair designed by the famous Manchester-born architect and interior decorator George Faulkner Armitage. He is renowned for designing and furnishing various famous country homes, which include works on Bramall Hall in Bramhall. Armitage also designed furniture (wallpaper, textiles and metalwork) in his workshops, which he ran on the principles advocated by John Ruskin and William Morris, from his Stamford House in Altrincham. Amongst the people he employed were Arthur Simpson. This particular chair, which dates to the late 19th century and is in mahogany, was made by cabinetmaker Alfred William Cole (stamped, son of cabinetmaker William Cole). The high back chair, which has a dished top rail, is beautifully carved with nine quarter sections of overlapping sunflower heads. Fluted and turned uprights are topped by ball finials and also decorated with wooden studs. The seat is raised on turned forelegs and out swept legs, all terminating in original Cope's patent castors. The inside back retains the original upholstered stitched pad, which has now been restored, while the rest of the chair is traditionally re-upholstered by The Sitting Place. The chair is then covered in a linen and organic cotton sunflower fabric (ochre) by Vanessa Arbuthnott. The fabric brings together the sunflower theme of the chair. This very decorative and high quality chair, due to its low seat, might be better suited in a bedroom setting or used as an occasional chair. Planter and table are for display purposes only. Approximate dimensions (at widest point): H 107 cm W 46.5 cm D 48.5 cm; Seat height 32.5 Condition: Very good original condition with some signs of wear commensurate with age and past use, some minor nicks to the wood. Cleaned and waxed.