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11th May 2010, 07:15 PM #1
Making an English Comb-back Windsor Chair
My inspiration for this Windsor chair derives from a unique style of comb-back chair produced in the Thames Valley region of South East England from around 1730 through to roughly 1800. The chairs from this area all share very distinct characteristics; the seats exhibit the same 'D' or bell shape (with a typical straight front edge) and all four legs are of a bold turned baluster pattern united by bulbous turned 'H' stretchers.
Where present, arms are broad with horizontally-scrolled terminals, supported on turned front posts. Comb-back crest rails are either plain or gently shaped and are raised on an even number of back sticks – usually eight.
Thames Valley comb-back elbow chair, c.1780. Front view.
Thames Valley comb-back elbow chair, c.1780. Side view.
The arms of these chairs are made of three separate pieces of wood which are lap jointed to form a continuous arc; the joints of some chairs span two back sticks, while others intersect a single back stick. The addition of steel screws, inserted from beneath, contribute to a strong, rigid arm.
The chair below possesses the same leg profile, three-part flat scrolled arm and eight back sticks as other chairs of the genre, and has a shaped crest rail, but is unusual in having sawn crescent arm supports and a radically shaped seat.
Thames Valley comb-back elbow chair, c.1780. Image Michael Harding-Hill.
This side chair exhibits an even number of back sticks (four), but has the unusual addition of three brace sticks.
Thames Valley comb-back side chair, c.1760.
The arm of the elbow chair below (formerly in the Parker Knoll collection which I had the opportunity to inspect on several occasions while in mothballs at, the then, private house, Brympton d'Evercy in Somerset) with its shaped crest, is still of three-part construction. The legs and seat shape conform to the genre.
Mid 18th century Thames Valley stick-back elbow chair. Image Michael Harding-Hill.
I don't have a steam box any longer and I don't really have the room or inclination to possess another, so one of the main attractions of this style of chair, for me, is that it has no bent components; both the crest rail and the three-part arm are cut from the solid.
The seats are typically of Elm with the grain running from side-to-side on elbow chairs and front-to-back on side chairs. The legs and sticks are normally Ash and the arms and crest rails can be Ash, Elm, Fruitwood or Walnut.
My chair
I cut a piece from a really nice 380cm x 74cm x 5.5cm (12.5ft x 29in x 2-1/8in) Elm board that's been air drying for four years, so that's the seat catered for.
That's a 56cm (22in) long No. 7 jointer sitting on that lump of Elm.
I have a fairly large quantity of European Ash, so the legs, stretchers, sticks and crest rail will all be of Ash. I also have a stack of English Walnut, so while I'm tempted to use some for the arm and arm posts, I have yet to convince myself it is the right choice..
I know you believe you understand what you think I wrote, but I'm not sure you realize that what you just read is not what I meant.
Regards, Woodwould.
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11th May 2010 07:15 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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11th May 2010, 07:32 PM #2
Wow, great stuff! I'd be keen to see more WIP pics as the chair progresses.
cheers
Derek
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11th May 2010, 08:00 PM #3
Ha, got in early and secured my seat in the front row this time.
Please continue.Those were the droids I was looking for.
https://autoblastgates.com.au
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11th May 2010, 08:07 PM #4
Oh! Another one already? Don't you sit and ponder for a while?
Oh well! I'm in the front row too then.anne-maria.
Tea Lady
(White with none)
Follow my little workshop/gallery on facebook. things of clay and wood.
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11th May 2010, 09:19 PM #5
Rollup Rollup, take your seats, the next master class is starting.
Box Challenge 2011 - Check out the amazing Boxes!
Twist One - Wooden Hinge/Latch/Catch/Handle
Twist Two - Found Object
Twist Three - Anything Goes
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11th May 2010, 09:52 PM #6
Looking forward to this. Does the man not pause for breath?
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11th May 2010, 09:56 PM #7
Move over Wendy and stop hogging the front row.
- Wood Borer
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11th May 2010, 09:58 PM #8
WW don't over do it.
I have my cuppa rolled up my seat just pray it doesn't rain.
WW its time we saw the master doing what he does maybe just one photo even
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11th May 2010, 10:06 PM #9
Wandered in by chance looking for the little boys' room, still with my stool under arm from the last master class, so I'll push my way in to the front row.
Looking forward to another inspiring lesson.Cheers, Richard
"... work to a standard rather than a deadline ..." Ticky, forum member.
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11th May 2010, 10:15 PM #10
I want to seat on Tea Lady's lap this time, if that's okay as it seems the room is filling up fast.
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11th May 2010, 11:58 PM #11
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12th May 2010, 12:08 AM #12gravity is my co-pilot
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It's nice to see that the bench dog is getting a rest during the photo break!
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12th May 2010, 07:49 AM #13
I'll just sit over here, if that's OK.
No-one minds my thermos of pea soup do they...Cheers
Jeremy
If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well it were done quickly
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12th May 2010, 07:55 AM #14
Looks like the seats are filling fast, so I'll jump back into mine from the last show.
Good stuff WW .
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12th May 2010, 07:56 AM #15Skwair2rownd
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Goody, goody, goody!!
Best infotainment on the internet is to be had on this forum thanks to the likes of you WW.
Let the fun begin!!
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