November, 1922 
53 
in the sense of rarity, they cannot be said 
to have existed in England at least much 
before the Restoration. In mediaeval 
times chairs of any kind were exalted 
splendors, symbolizing rank and position, 
a tradition which may be traced today in 
the ceremony of taking “the chair.” 
The few Elizabethan chairs were straight- 
backed and hard-seated, and must have 
been uneasy enough even when miti¬ 
gated by “quysshons”; the early Jacobean 
chair had a certain charm but the chair 
which was at once comfortable, conven¬ 
ient, and decorative, had not yet been 
evolved. In France and Italy, the 
standard of domestic amenities was far 
higher; all through the 16th Century the 
light “conversation chair” (“Pour cacque- 
ter et pour causer”) was quite common in 
France; the Prie Dieu was well known; 
(Continued on page 94) 
(Right) A Gothic 
chair once owned 
by Horace Wal¬ 
pole. From M on- 
tague Flagg 
An aged oak Jacobean chair, with 
strap motif and patina finish. 
Courtesy of the New York Galleries 
The arms of 
this old Eng¬ 
lish chair have 
carved eagle 
heads. Mon¬ 
tague Flagg 
The William 
and Mary love 
seat above, is 
in rose broca- 
telle. Hamp¬ 
ton Shops 
A Charles IT occasional 
chair Barton, Price & 
Wilson 
A distinguished design for an occasional chair is found 
in this reproduction of a 17th Century walnut piece 
covered in gros point. Courtesy of the Hampton Shops 
A Henry VIII corner chair of 
interesting pattern in dark, turned 
oak. Courtesy of P. Jackson Higgs 
An 18th Century bergere, by Pergolcsi, showing French 
and Italian influence. It is enameled in cream with 
red lined upholstery. Courtesy of P. Jackson Higgs 
