This chair, which entered the collection of The Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) in 1970, was commissioned by W.J. Bassett-Lowke for the furnishing of 78 Derngate in 1916. Designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, it matches in style and appearance the dark finish and angular forms seen in his interior scheme for the Hall Lounge. The chair features a lattice work back and stepped oriental-inspired mouldings. The design of the chair is related to that of the 78 Derngate settle and also of other furniture by Mackintosh produced around the same time. Perhaps the most obvious antecedent for the design of this chair was the smaller chair designed for Miss Cranston’s Ingram Street Tearooms in 1911.
Only four of these chairs were produced. Two are now in the V&A collection. The other two are in the collection of the Northampton Museum, along with the standard lamp by Mackintosh produced at the same time. One of the ‘Northampton’ chairs was featured in the 78 Derngate Centenary Exhibition “Charles Rennie Mackintosh & The Great War” where it formed part of an exhibit relating to the redecoration of the Hall Lounge by Mackintosh in 1920 [ See photo below ].
Mackintosh’s design drawing for the Hall Lounge of 78 Derngate features the chair in both front and side profile views. It is believed that the chairs were manufactured by interned German craftsmen at Knockaloe Camp on the Isle of Man during the First World War.
In 2017 one of the ‘V&A’ chairs was on display in the Twentieth Century Gallery of the museum. Both ‘Northampton’ chairs were on loan to and on public display at 78 Derngate.
Clicking on the museum number link below will take you to the V&A website where further information may be available. All enquiries about usage of this image, access to the original work and information should be directed to The Victoria & Albert Museum.
Place of Origin: Isle of Man (probably, made)
Date: 1916 (made)
Artist/Maker: Mackintosh, Charles Rennie, born 1868 – died 1928 (designer)
Materials and Techniques: Painted wood, with cane seat.
Museum number: W.7:1-1970
The photograph below shows one of the ‘Northampton’ chairs featured in the 78 Derngate Centenary Exhibition “Charles Rennie Mackintosh & The Great War” where it formed part of an exhibit relating to the redecoration of the Hall Lounge by Mackintosh in 1920. Also shown in this photograph is a part view of a contemporary table lamp based on the design for a streetlight by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
All enquiries about usage of this image, access to the original work and information should be directed to 78 Derngate.
Place of Origin: Isle of Man (probably, made)
Date: 1916 (made)
Artist/Maker: Mackintosh, Charles Rennie, born 1868 – died 1928 (designer)
Materials and Techniques: Painted wood, with cane seat.