Low Back Yew Splat Windsor Chair by Benjamin Gilling c. 1850

An early ash, elm and yew wood chair made by Benjamin Gilling of Worksop, Nottinghamshire (1840-50).

Born in Yorkshire, many of the chairs he made were based on the designs of Yorkshire Windsors and such chairs became quite specific to his workshop once he re-located to Nottinghamshire.

The fine quality and elaborately carved and yew wood splat has piercings unique to Gilling with a key-hole shape being a trademark. The arm support turnings, the heavy rings to the legs and the shaped ball feet are also features of Gilling chairs to Gilling chairs. The use of four spindles either side of the splat is not usual in low back chairs and an attractive feature of the chair.

Interestingly, Benjamin Gilling often used four spindles either side of the splat - not many Nottinghamshire makers did this in low-back chairs.

(My sincere thanks to PM - collector and expert on Nottinghamshire Windsor chairs - for his insights and assistance with this description)

Condition: in very good and original condition with a beautiful colour. All timbers original. Very solid and heavy, feet original and with very little wear - the chair having been well cared for all of its life. There is a short fine natural shrinkage gap to the rear face of the elm seat following the grain and two of the spindles have well blended professional repairs, solid and not going anywhere or noticeable. One arm re-pegged a long time ago and again well blended.

A really handsome and robust mid 19th Century Worksop made low back windsor chair in lovely and very original condition by a quality Worksop maker (see Christopher Gilbert "English Vernacular Furniture" 1750-1900 - page 111 and Plates 147 and 168)