17th c. Rising Sun and Thistle Scottish Armchair

Description

An early Scottish wainscot armchair with throne-like form. Featuring a carved rising sun and three thistles below a shaped crest on an oak panel back. Wide carved arms supported on columns above solid trapezoid shaped seat over turned front legs joined by a box stretcher. Wonderful wear, surface and patination.
Ben Franklin once famously remarked on George Washington’s chair at the constitutional convention that he had wondered if the sun on the back was rising or setting, and that he concluded that it was indeed rising after the constitution was signed.