Back to results
Back to results

Museum

Panel-back armchair

Description

A 19th century panel-back armchair of caqueteuse form. Made in 1890 by James Plucknett and Co of Warwick as a replica of the chair in which Shakespeare is said to have sat when he wrote most of his plays. The oak is from Warwick Castle with a small diamond-shaped piece of wood from Shakespeare's Birthplace inserted into the seat. The shaped cresting rail above a chanel moulded top rail which itself sits above a panel carved with an arch filled with an architectural scene. The panel-back flanked by chamfered uprights with a chanel moulded bottom rail that matches the top rail. The shaped flat arms above baluster and peg supports; the two-plank(?) seat raised on moulded rails and column turned front and plain back legs. The plain front and rear stretchers joined in the middle by a single profile shaped stretcher. The original chair is in the collection of the National Trust at Anglesey Abbey (NT514449).

  • Measurements

  • Width

    650 mm (seat)

  • Height

    1145 mm

  • Depth

    430 mm (seat)

  • Marks & inscriptions

    Replica of chair in which Shakespeare is said to have / sat when he wrote most of his plays and which was formerly / in the possession of Paul Whitehead the poet laureate / afterwards of John Bacon of Barnet. Then of the Rev. T.J.Judkins / of St Pancras, then of the Rev Walter Field, Vicar or Godmersham / Kent, ampersand now in 1890 of E. Ledger Esqre of the ERA. / Made from oak out of Warwick Castle / with a piece of wood from Shakespeare's Birthplace at / Stratford inserted in the seat of the chair. / Made by James Plucknett ampersand Co. Warwick. 1890 : : :,

  • Place made

    United Kingdom - England - Warwickshire - Warwick

  • Location

    Shakespeare's Birthplace - Exhibition room

  • Credit line

    CC-BY-NC-ND Image Courtesy of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust