A rare Charles I oak caqueteuse armchair, Salisbury or district dated 2nd of September 1629

the panel back with the initials 'IH' and date '1629 Sep. 2' within a channelled and incised frame, with shaped arms on baluster supports and with a boarded trapezoid seat, the channelled seat rail with scroll apron, the square and baluster turned legs joined by peripheral stretchers

Illustrated Tobias Jellinek, Early British Chairs and Seats from 1500-1700, Woodbridge, Forthcoming (2009), pl. 117.

A rare chair with strong indicators of geographical origin. Old nails on top rim of cresting rail indicating former attachment. Usual split in back panel. The carved letter 'I' with loss at it's base. Old fragmenting to arms and the right arm with aperture on the surface. The turned support for this arm with chipped losses. Seat with indents and losses including front moulding. Fragmenting to legs and feet. Rear of chair with partial split and with partial split to one upright. This upright with loss and old worm at surmount.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

It is interesting to draw parallels with another West Country chair sold recently see Fine Furniture, Including Property from Newton Surmaville, Somerset, these rooms, 5th March 2008, lot 335. The Newton chair had the same segmented lozenge motifs and channelled decoration.

The clearest link with chairs from the Salisbury area would be through the caqueteuse arms seen on the offered lot. Victor Chinnery, Oak Furniture, The British Tradition, Woodbridge, 1979, p. 452-454.

What makes this chair even rarer is the use of not only the year - 1629, but month and day - 2nd September. Perhaps this commemorates a wedding, although usually with wedding commemorations an ownership triad is used with a wife's initial, husband's initial and married surname. Perhaps it symbolises the birth of a child or another important occasion?