The Cartwright chair was designed as an evolution in the vernacular tradition of Windsor chair making. Drawing inspiration from Hans Wegner’s P550 Peacock Chair, I wanted to create a chair that would draw on the history of Windsor chair making and make a legitimate contribution to the lexicon of contemporary Windsor styles.
The generous proportions of the chair are designed to encourage a less prescriptive mode of sitting, offering a multitude of comfortable positions.
The Chair’s defining characteristics; its octagonal section legs and the hand carved dimpled seat are firmly rooted in the traditions of windsor chair making.
Making oblique references in homage to the traditions of the craft in a time before sandpaper when the draw knives used to shape the round components left tiny facets visible, and the craftsman’s adze left subtle carving marks in the shaped solid seats.
I sought to identify these and celebrate them by exaggerating them into prominent and unusual features of the Cartwright Chair.