Featured Is this an 18th century chair?

Hi everyone,

This came up locally, what're your first impressions on it

 

The furniture folks will weigh in I'm sure and as I don't know I'll just throw in that I think maybe it's supposed to be a 17th C chair.

https://ncartmuseum.org/art/detail/lions_head_finial_chair


Lion’s Head Finial Chair
Title: Lion’s Head Finial Chair
Date: mid 17th century
Artist: Unknown
Dimensions: 41 x 17 x 16 in. (104.1 x 43.2 x 40.6 cm)
Medium: Oak and leather
Credit Line: Purchased with funds from the NCMA docents
Object Number: 2002.8

Culture: Flemish



https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/nl/rijks...elen,-banken-en-bedden/objecten#/BK-NM-5837,1

 

Looks late 19th C Gothic Revival to me.

 

You can see the hand carved work in the close up, but they did this in many of the 19th c. revival pieces as well. it's underside and joint details will confirm the century it was made in. I like the chair. .

 

I'll take the risk then I think for £20 dyou think

 

I don't think you would go wrong at a 20 pound investment, my first impulse would be to reupholster in a tapestry or crewel fabric. Looks like it would be an easy job, given the straight lines.

 

Nice chair. I'm with 19th century, but the photos are pretty dark, and no construction pics.
I seem to remember the 17th-18th century lion's head finials were carved all around, no flat back. Could be wrong though.

 

My first impulse was late 19th century and it probably is. I'd definitely reupholster the poor thing in a fabric that looks like it wants to be on the chair instead of fighting it. Odds are good it's a cat chair - just ask a cat.

 

Any chair is a cat chair.

 

I agree, a mid-to late 19th century revival piece. The stretchers and leg turnings are simpler and less graceful than the early versions, the lower ones do not have the nice cut-out details, and the seat is much deeper, probably to accommodate the 19th century tied-coil type of support system. The lion face does not seem to reflect the quirkiness of the earlier ones, it looks more realistic. As mentioned, saw marks, fasteners and type of joinery will definitely settle the matter.

 

Eh, it's worth a score.