Record
Oat-straw and wood
from Orkney
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These are bundles of wood and oat-straw used for the construction of Orkney chairs, one of the most distinctive types of furniture in Europe. They were used for chair production in 2000.
On the left is a bundle of wood and on the right a bundle of black Murkle oat-straw. Black Murkle oats are an inferior grain that thrives on poor straw and withstands strong winds and heavy rain.
The Orkney chair has a vertical wooden frame and a curving straw back. The making of the straw chair back is a time-consuming process, taking up to a week to complete and every maker follows their own pattern. The frame, with or without a drawer below the seat, is made from imported oak or, occasionally, from driftwood. Drop-in seats of woven sea-grass tend to be more popular than plain boarded seats.
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- Online ID: 000-180-000-524-C
- Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
- Project:
National Museums Scotland Part 2
Project description View all records in project - Ref: National Museums Scotland
- Date: 2000
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