English Walnut and Cane Furniture 1660-1725
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Glasgow Museums has a substantial collection of walnut and cane chairs. After the collection of caned chairs held by the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the Glasgow Museum collection is largest and finest group of walnut and caned chairs found in the UK. By the late seventeenth century, walnut framed chairs with cane seating and backs became fashionable in London, England. A surge in the production of these chairs was galvanised by the destruction of property caused by the Great Fire of London in 1666. Walnut and cane chairs were easier to move around the home and affordable for both the aristocracy and merchants. It was common for a cushion to be placed on the seat for the additional comfort of the sitter. Most walnut and cane chairs were made by the collaboration of two separate makers; a ‘cane chair’ maker to construct the twist turned carved frame, and a ‘chair caner’ who would attach the cane through holes made in the chair frame, weaving together the strips in into tight geometric patterns for the seat and back rest. The cane was made from flexible strips of split rattan plant from south-east Asia, imported to Europe by the East India Company. The walnut and can chairs from this date range were acquired by Sir William Burrell (1861-1958), and his wife Constance, Lady Burrell, used in their home, Hutton Castle, outside Berwick-Upon-Tweed, in the Scottish Borders. The Burrell collected many fine examples with elaborate heraldic carvings and evidence of paint and gilt decoration.
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