51/66

This is the spindle (the sticks which form the back of a chair) of a stick-back, a type of Windsor chair, and is made of beech. The donor called it a ‘stick-back stand’. These chairs usually had plain spindles with a turned one at each end of the back.

1 spindle; wood (beech); good condition

Citation in publication [H. J. Massingham, 'Country Relics' (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1939)] –'Hanging up under the thatch of the Hermitage is a row of nine chair legs, spindles and stretchers, each one of different size, shape and design in the turning, but one and all made of beech-wood, fresh and clean as a new pin and the work of a single living man...Rather shorter and slenderer still is the type known as the "Stick-Bat Stand", on which the ball-turning is more annular.' (pp. 52), MERL list / description [Massingham Collection, October 1989] – 'ACC. NO.: 51/66 // NAME: CHAIR SPINDLE // NEG NO.: 35/1940 // STORAGE: ', MERL 'Catalogue index' card – ‘Spindle // DATE ACQUIRED: January 1951 // GROUP: Crafts - wood - chairs // NEGATIVE: 35/1940 // PERIOD: 1930s // PLACE OF ORIGIN: The H. J. Massingham collection // NUMBER: 51/66 // DESCRIPTION: This is the spindle of a Windsor chair of the type called Stick-Back. These chairs usually had plain spindles, with a turned one at each end of the back. It is one of the later Windsor chair designs, started in the 19th century. The spindle is made of beech and measures 15 inches in length. It is called a stick-back stand by Mr Massingham.’

1930-01-01 - 1939-12-31

1930s