Robert Southwell’s chair
Date
1691
1936
1936
Creator
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Dimensions
height (object): 1060mm
width (object): 605mm
depth (object): 590mm
width (object): 605mm
depth (object): 590mm
Subject
Content object
Description
English oak wainscot chair, panel-backed, with a shaped top-rail surmounted with two serpents and flowers. This contains the carved initials ‘RS’ and the date ‘1691’. The back panel has a floral motif which is repeated in the chair’s tapestry-work cushion. The chair has shaped arms with turned supports and a plank seat; with turned legs and moulded stretchers.
The chair is reputed to have belonged to Sir Robert Southwell, President of the Royal Society. The associated cushion is a later addition, made by Helen Lyons (née Hardwick) in 1936.
A small ownership plaque: ‘Royal Society’ is pinned underneath the seat at the chair back.
Robert Southwell (1635-1702) British diplomat was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1663. He served as its President from 1690 to 1695.
The chair is reputed to have belonged to Sir Robert Southwell, President of the Royal Society. The associated cushion is a later addition, made by Helen Lyons (née Hardwick) in 1936.
A small ownership plaque: ‘Royal Society’ is pinned underneath the seat at the chair back.
Robert Southwell (1635-1702) British diplomat was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1663. He served as its President from 1690 to 1695.
Object history
Purchased by the Royal Society, 1935. Collection of Mr and Mrs Ernest C. Innes sale, Christie's, London, 12-13 December 1935.
At an Officers’ Meeting, 12 December 1935: ‘It was reported that a carved oak William and Mary chair inscribed “R.S. 1691” was to be sold by auction at Christie’s from the collection of the late Mr. E.C. Innes and it was agreed that the chair be bid for on behalf of the Society.’
Minutes of meetings of the Officers of the Royal Society, 1935-1939, 12 December 1935, minute 2, OM/2/4 (formerly CMB/87d).
The acquisition was noted at Council: ’The Officers reported that at a recent auction sale the Society had purchased for the sum of sixty-six guineas a carved oak William and Mary arm-chair, inscribed with the initials “R.S.” and the date 1691. It is believed that this was the chair of Sir Robert Southwell who was President of the Society from 1690 to 1695.’
Royal Society Council Minutes, Printed, 1932-1936, v.14, p.316, 16 January 1936 minute 37, CMP/14.
William Henry Bragg’s correspondence regarding the sale has been preserved (MDA/A/9/5-12). This includes a letter from H.G. Lyons on the production of the cushion: ‘It has, as you feared, a wooden seat! But I have consulted Clifford Smith of the V&A Museum & it would have had a stout cushion on the wood! This should be covered with a piece of embroidered material in a suitable design & if the Council would like it, my wife will be very pleased to do the embroidery. A pattern of the period can be had at the V&A Museum.’
Letter, Henry George Lyons, the Royal Society, 16 December 1935, to William Henry Bragg, MDA/A/9/6.
The chair is noted in ‘Instruments and Historical Relics’, The record of the Royal Society of London... (London, Royal Society, 1940), chapter 6, p.166.
At an Officers’ Meeting, 12 December 1935: ‘It was reported that a carved oak William and Mary chair inscribed “R.S. 1691” was to be sold by auction at Christie’s from the collection of the late Mr. E.C. Innes and it was agreed that the chair be bid for on behalf of the Society.’
Minutes of meetings of the Officers of the Royal Society, 1935-1939, 12 December 1935, minute 2, OM/2/4 (formerly CMB/87d).
The acquisition was noted at Council: ’The Officers reported that at a recent auction sale the Society had purchased for the sum of sixty-six guineas a carved oak William and Mary arm-chair, inscribed with the initials “R.S.” and the date 1691. It is believed that this was the chair of Sir Robert Southwell who was President of the Society from 1690 to 1695.’
Royal Society Council Minutes, Printed, 1932-1936, v.14, p.316, 16 January 1936 minute 37, CMP/14.
William Henry Bragg’s correspondence regarding the sale has been preserved (MDA/A/9/5-12). This includes a letter from H.G. Lyons on the production of the cushion: ‘It has, as you feared, a wooden seat! But I have consulted Clifford Smith of the V&A Museum & it would have had a stout cushion on the wood! This should be covered with a piece of embroidered material in a suitable design & if the Council would like it, my wife will be very pleased to do the embroidery. A pattern of the period can be had at the V&A Museum.’
Letter, Henry George Lyons, the Royal Society, 16 December 1935, to William Henry Bragg, MDA/A/9/6.
The chair is noted in ‘Instruments and Historical Relics’, The record of the Royal Society of London... (London, Royal Society, 1940), chapter 6, p.166.
Related fellows
Robert Southwell (1635 - 1702, British) , Diplomat
Associated place