English Fan-Back Windsor Armchair, Solid Oak, 19th Century — For Restoration

A sturdy example of the English fan-back Windsor form, constructed entirely in solid oak with construction and turning details consistent with the second half of the 19th century. The back rises through a full spread of mixed spindles — flat tapered sticks flanked by turned bobbin spindles — anchored at the top by a boldly carved comb crest rail with scrolled ears and a shaped central saddle. Arm stumps are turned and tapered, supporting flat outswept arm rails in the country manner. The deeply saddled, two-board seat — a full 1½" thick — is contoured for comfort in the traditional English style, with the characteristic kidney-shaped plan visible from above.

Below the seat, four 1¾" turned legs splay outward on a generous rake, terminating in pad feet and united by a full bobbin-turned H-stretcher with a cross-brace — a structural system typical of English provincial Windsor work from the Thames Valley and High Wycombe traditions. The overall composition is robust and purposeful: a working chair built to last generations, offered here as a strong candidate for sympathetic restoration.

CONDITION

Poor — offered as-is for restoration. The chair is structurally wobbly and requires stabilizing throughout, with joints that have worked loose over time. The two-board seat has split along its center glue joint. Finish wear is heavy and age-appropriate across all surfaces, with the seat showing accumulated grime, surface scoring, and loss consistent with long use.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• Overall: 35½" H × 18" W × 20" D
• Seat: 17" W × 16" D × 15½" H
• Seat Thickness: 1½"
• Leg Diameter (turned): 1¾"
• Material: Solid oak
• Condition: For restoration