Click on the image to see the full version. Photo: Royalpalaces.se

Baroque backrest chair

GRIPSHOLM CASTLE

A small 17th century baroque chair with turned legs with crossbars between them and a rectangular backrest. With its lack of upholstery, it would have been hidden away out of sight. According to an inscription on the backrest, it once stood in the cook's room.

It is made from birch. There is still bark on the inside of the edging, and the seat is made from pine and stained brown with some kind of cheap earth pigment.

Even simple furniture was usually painted, as untreated wood was a sign of poverty. This type of chair was common in simple settings throughout the 19th century.

FACTS
Made: 1670s-80s

Birch with pine seat. Brown stained, probably with burnt umber.