James I joined oak armchair

A rare and finely detailed joined oak armchair of the James I period, distinguished by its bold scale and elaborate carved and inlaid decoration.
The rectangular back panel, within a moulded frame, is decorated with contra-partie marquetry of stylised flowers and pomegranates issuing from a vase, with traces of birds amongst the foliage. Above, the arched cresting rail is carved with scrolling foliage and a central daisyhead, flanked by voluted ears; later strengthening braces have been sympathetically added behind the cresting. The uprights and seat rails are carved with S-scroll ornament, uniting with the downswept open arms on baluster-turned supports. The boarded seat, possibly refinished, rests upon a base of baluster-turned front legs joined by moulded stretchers.
Chairs of this type were costly items, reflecting both wealth and status within the household, and would have served as principal seating within the hall or parlour. Few examples survive from this Leeds workshop tradition, and the present chair remains an impressive survival. A comparable armchair, from the same group, was sold at Bonhams, 24 May 2012, lot 231, realising £18,750.