Wyburns Patent Folding Chair

A Wyburns Patent mahogany Folding Chair.

As can be seen, the chair can be adjusted on its replaced leather straps to incline the back and with the foot rest extended it could be used as a bed. When not needed, the foot rest will fix parallel to the underside of the seat on a twist catch. In order that it can pass the stretcher of the front legs, they need to be in the folded position to do so. This chair is stronger in construction than most late Victorian folding chairs and perhaps the compromise is the way it packs down for travel. The slatted back is fixed by 2 brass bolts to the top of the back legs. They allow the back to be completely removed from the seat and legs. The front legs are hinged to fold under the seat once its brass bracing bars are unhooked. The arm straps are fitted to the back on wooden bolts and so are easily removed. The arms do not pack down and stand upright when everything else is dismantled. The space in between them can be utilised to hold the removed back and the cushions. The back of the seat has a pressed brass plaque noting Wyburn's Patent around the Royal Coat of Arms.

It is likely that this chair was made by Robert Wyburn, a cabinet maker in Somerset. This is an interesting chair, unconventional in its folding and has an elegant sweep to its back leg. Mid 19th Century.

Upright Without Foot Rest Size Is Given