Late Victorian Scottish vernacular Darvel High Comb-backed Windsor Chair

For sale is a beautiful late 19th Century ‘Victorian-type' Darvel high comb-backed Windsor chair c. 1880-1903.   This Scottish vernacular chair from the late 19th Century has some characteristics of the maker 'Hugh Shields & Son' (of the same name) likely around 1881-1903 from their premises in Newmilns, The Irvine Valley although is unstamped as many armchairs are.  Hugh Shields was one of a small number of known makers of Irvine valley Windsor chairs in Newmilns, the next village to the west of Darvel.  He trained with John McMath and developed his chair design, becoming a specialist in elaborate turnings of a very precise execution as shown in the design of this particular chairs stretchers and spindles.  This chair has some lovely details: - The elaborate / bold turning detail to the arm bow terminal support spindles, legs and H-stretchers were later Victorian precise additions to the decoration of these vernacular chairs and this was a design embellishment that was also utilised by Hugh Shields & Son (Hugh Shields Jnr) up to circa 1903. - A curved Ash arm bow with end finials and constructed from two pieces meeting in an overlapping scarf joint.  This chair has had a repair to the left hand arm terminus but remains solid as shown in the images. - Darvel chairs have a very comfortable, raked and enclosed comb design with strong / heavy and robust construction. -  This chair has 10 high back spindles indicating a later Victorian chair with the fashionable elaborate turnings. - Large D-shaped seat slab of thick birch (likely imported American birch) into which the legs and all spindles socket (not through). Seat height = 41cm. - The seat is contoured to the front for knee comfort and the rear is supported by the splayed rear legs.  - The late Victorian turned legs seen on this style of Darvel chair from Hugh Shields have the most elaborate and precise legs and stretcher.  The legs having a 3-section decorative section towards the feet/end (and are in good complete condition and have not been cut down). *This chair is notable in that it is a similar design, elaborate terminus spindles to the arm bow, stretcher and elaborate decoration to the legs along with the very splayed nature of the rear legs as show in Cotton (2008) on page 205. A beautiful design, executed in a robust and comfortable manner due to the raked stance ready for its next 130+ years of utility. Contact W&W Antiques for delivery options and pricing in the UK.   International buyers are welcome, but please contact us prior to payment to confirm the additional packaging, insurance and shipping costs by way of acceptance to your country.  Purchaser responsible for local import tariffs/fees. If you are interested in multiple items, please contact us for combined postage.