1880s occasional armchair in ‘Lyme Bay’ hand-printed linen

This curvaceous Napoleon III crapaud armchair, dating from the late 1800s has just returned from our upholsterer. It is covered in our ‘Lyme Bay’ hand-printed linen; the colour, a warm, earthy Venetian red. An elegant, comfortable piece with a gently reclining back and low arm rests, it’d suit a bedroom, lounge or study.

The chair has been stripped and reupholstered from the frame up, using traditional materials, processes and techniques. Firstly, its seat was re-webbed, lashed and re-sprung. Next, layers of organic material were added and meticulously hand-stitched. The piece’s inside back, ‘crapaud’ in style, is both authentic and practical; it offers lumbar support and, consequently, great comfort. All joins are piped and the fine zigzag, which draws the eye and makes the design, matches up across the seat and arms.

The chair has turned, ebonised front legs - typical of the period and probably pear wood - which provide good colour contrast with the earth red linen textile. Finally, all show-wood has been revived with beeswax for a pleasing gleam.

The piece’s dimensions are - Width: 66cm (front of seat) 43.5cm (between arms) 60cm (back) Height: 39cm (seat) 83cm (back) Depth: 49cm (seat) 72cm (front to back)

Artist - Cameron Short in collaboration with traditional upholsterer, Harriet Page.