“Price of Wales” Windsor Armchair

Very fine early 19th century English yew wood windsor hoop back armchair, the pierced splat with “Prince of Wales” ostrich feather decoration, surrounded by shaped spindles, the continuous arm with curved supports over well shaped elm seat, over turned legs joined by crinoline stretcher. “Price of Wales” splats are relatively uncommon but by no means unique and are more sought after than the typical wheel back splats. This example is entirely fashioned from yew wood, except the elm seat, which was reserved for the “best” Windsor chairs. Yew was prized not only for its grain and color, which patinates beautifully over time as in this example, but for its ability to bend and retain its shape, as evidenced by the hoop back, continuous arm, arm support and crinoline stretcher.