Windsor Chair

A period English elm and ash Windsor chair.

Ash is a very special timber because it resembles elm, which is gorgeous, but it also has properties that allow it to be steam bent without it cracking.

So, very often the bow on the back and the arms of Windsor chairs are single pieces of steam-bent ash. The seats and legs are often elm.

This particular chair was sold late last century by Donald Melville for $2000, back when houses were $250,000.

It is a particularly nice model with the wheel back insert, narrow arms and wide seat.

Not very fashionable and the price remains unchanged. 

Not to be underestimated.