A rare Welsh oak Comb Back Chair
16th November 2011
A late 18th century, Welsh comb back Armchair of large size.
This is a particularly nice example of a type of primitive chair which would once have been
found in most rural Welsh homes; this one was probably made in western Glamorganshire.
Typically, made from a mixture of woods, mainly of ash with oak for the seat, woods readily available to the rural craftsman. The painted finish, especially the red, is highly desirable to collectors. Sadly, the desire to strip off these layers to reveal the wood beneath has robbed
so many of these chairs of their integrity and character.
The use of the word primitive is a generic one, used to describe the type of construction
where no mortice and tenon joints are used. This “cruder” construction still requires a
high degree of skill to produce a strong and well balanced piece, obvious qualities in
this chair. The absence of decoration and a pared down form give the chair a sculptural quality.
The majority of chairs of this type we encounter have invariably had some degree of
alteration or damage; broken or missing combs, stripped off surfaces and rotten or replaced legs. Since many such pieces were made using woods that are susceptible to the ravages of
woodworm, this is often why many were burnt or destroyed.
Remarkably, this comb back has survived for over two centuries in entirely unrestored
condition,testament perhaps, to the high regard in which it was held by previous owners.
Glamorganshire, probably Cwm Tawe, circa 1780. £4,550.00
