Identifying an Old Wooden Chair?

haydemon
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March 13, 20200 found this helpful

This is a marvelous English Captain's chair, looking to be 'the real deal', looking to date from the early 1900's, judging by the condition and the plaque. The manufacture looks to be Christopher Pratt:

"After about 1900 Pratts sometimes fixed a small metal plaque on their furniture and paper labels incorporating the monogram 'C.P.S.' start to appear. When they became a limited company in 1913 the abbreviation 'Ltd.' follows their name.

The fun part is these people are still apparently in business: cpratts.co.uk/

Pghgirl40
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March 16, 20200 found this helpful

I would call the company to have them authenticate what you have. The plaque sounds right in theory to be a Christopher Pratt chair, but I am not positive the screws look authentic (almost impossible to tell that from a photo) and I am also not sure the look of the piece fits his most well known style (see below).

He is known for pieces which were done in the Arts and Crafts style...which have a specific look to them...they are very simple lines with very simple decorations on them...maybe a turned leg or a decorative frieze. This chair is very simple (like pre-arts and crafts), so it is possible it is one of his very early pieces. The arts and crafts movement is typically thought of as between the 1880s to 1920s...depending on where it was made. This company was around then so that would be extra cool if it was an original or first generation pieces!

I am guessing you are in Europe somewhere because these pieces rarely are seen the US.

There are Pratt pieces in museums so that would be neat if you had one of his pieces.

Please post back what you learn!! It is a neat piece, none the less. It looks like a banker or lawyer's chair from the early 20th century.

Thanks for sharing! Always love seeing neat and different items on this site!!

Ana
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March 13, 20200 found this helpful

This wooden piece was created by cabinet maker apprentice, Christopher Pratts, who was 21 years of age when he started. 5 years later he formed his own business and passed down through his sons.