Description
Antique armchair in solid wood (Mallorca, c.1920).
This typical armchair with armrests stood out for its pristine state of conservation at the time of purchase. Originally its solid mulberry wood had been ¨disguised¨ with a layer of varnish commonly used at the time. To restore this armchair with esparto seat the wood was stripped down to bring out its gorgeous natural tone. We then applied another protective layer of a slightly darker varnish, further accentuating the beauty of the natural grain.
In addition, the seat woven in fine esparto was found in almost perfect condition as can be seen in the detailed photos of this antique armchair with armrests.
Our armchair with armrests comes from a typical farmhouse in the Balearic Islands. It is a fairly wide armchair and its shape and armrests allow for spacious comfort when sitting. This piece adds a majestic feeling to any space.
We like the combination of this natural wood chair with one of our antique natural wood tables.
- Ref .: AM0E004-2
- Dimensions: 50.5 x 54 x 90.5 cm (Width x Depth x Height)
- Approximate age: 100 years
- Material: Solid mulberry wood
- Source: Majorca, Spain
– HISTORIC NOTE –
Esparto is the fiber obtained from various plants and grasses native to the Mediterranean area of Spain and North Africa.
Historically, it is known to have been used since the Neolithic period. During the Roman Empire its commercialization and export from Iberia to beyond the Mediterranean was an important source of income for the inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula.
For several centuries the craft of espartero was specialized in the manipulation of esparto for the manufacture of various objects of daily use such as armchairs with esparto seat, toys, esparto sandals, esparto baskets, ropes and many other esparto products.
With the invention of plastic and the mass globalization of its use, the esparto industry has been largely pushed aside due to its inability to compete for profitability. Despite (and perhaps more so because of) this, the decorative value of esparto endures and is especially valued in pieces of furniture such as our wooden armchair woven with esparto grass.
