Comb back Lincolnshire side chair by Marsh of Sleaford with curved crest rail, turned stiles, 5 long spindles, straight seat sides, ring and cove turnings on the front legs with 1 lower ring, plain back legs and H stretcher with darts WS 14

Comb back Lincolnshire side chair by Marsh of Sleaford WS 14

Side chair with MARSH SLEAFORD impressed on upper rear surface of seat - this may relate to James Marsh (baptised 19th August 1803) who lived and worked in Jermyn St. Sleaford as a chair maker for all his life. This chair is one of a set of three that were offered for sale in a Lincoln auction in March 2001 and no mention was made in the sale catalogue that all were signed to the rear of the seat. There equally a good chance that the father of James made these chairs: his name was Thomas . The parish register of St Denys Sleaford shows Thomas's burial aged 67 on 25 April 1844. No will has yet been tracked down.

As I have said elsewhere, Marsh made really good chairs and for a very good reason. On the front page of the newly started Sleaford Gazette in the summer of 1858 there was an advertisement by Mr Darlow's Upholstery Establishment which sold cottage furniture including Windsor chairs at 2 shillings each, on South Street, Sleaford. Also on Westgate, Sleaford there was Mr William Robinson selling London, Birmingham and Sheffield goods including Windsor chairs, wholesale and retail! Messrs. Marsh must have made really good chairs at competitive prices to compete with the shops in town.

© William Sergeant 2012 and 2020