Chair

One of a pair of chairs purchased by Nelson in Naples and used as cabin furniture on the 'Foudroyant'. Reed seated, green painted with Adam style finials and a curved solid wood back with 22 holes, 11 at top and 11 at base. Stiles square topped and fitted on front base with columnar section beneath. Back legs plain, front legs similar to stiles, ball like feet, four plain stretchers.

An inventory of his belongings, in the British Library, lists six of these chairs. Both chairs feature rush seats and are painted pale blue with dark brown details. Both also feature a neo-classical scene of columns and urns on the crest rail. They have been over-painted with dark green paint and it is possible that this was done shortly after their purchase, since in the early 19th century green paint was used for garden furniture, in part because of its anti-corrosive properties. There is an identical chair in the collection of the Norwich Castle Museum, with similar provenance, presented in 1858 by Lord Stafford.

Object Details

ID: AAA3440
Collection: Decorative art
Type: Chair
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Unknown
Date made: circa 1775
People: Nelson, Horatio
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London. Caird Fund.
Measurements: Overall: 940 x 483 x 490 mm