Chair

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This elm and pine chair was bought in 1844 at the sale of the contents of Market Hill, a house at Watten in Caithness. It was probably made earlier in the 19th century although it may date from the late 18th century.

The seat rails and stiles of the chair are made from single pieces of elm in a manner usually known as 'Sutherland construction'. The vertical back bars are, however, characteristic of the Caithness tradition. The chair was once painted red.

This form of Caithness chair, with arms, was traditionally considered to be the husband's chair.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-103-629-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.SS 14
• Date: Bought in 1844
  Late 18th or early 19th century
  
• Material: Armchair / chair, country
  
• Dimensions: 35.50" max H x 22.50" W; seat 15.50" H
  
• What: Armchair / chair, country
  
• Subject: Household accessories, miscellaneous (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Caithness, Watten, Market Hill
  
• Event:
• Description: Armchair with a very sloping back, from the household furnishings of Market Hill, Watten, made before 1844
  
• References:
  • R. Ross Noble. The Chairs of Sutherland and Caithness. Regional Furniture 1 (1987), pp 33-40 
• Translations:
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