As a master craftsman with many years of experience, Steve thoroughly enjoys turning his hand to the craft of chair making. He recently had the opportunity to hand make a charming traditional Welsh style chair. This well proportioned chair was inspired by a design that is thought to have originally come from North Wales. Celebrating the Welsh stick chair, it has a wide lozenge-shaped seat, with only three un-tapered, heavier long sticks at the back.

Most likely, the first record of a Welsh stick chair is in the manuscript of the laws of Howells Dda, a 10th century Welsh king. It is included in a document inscribed in the middle of the 12th century, with an illustration of a judge sitting on what looks like a back or stick chair. It is believed that Welsh stick chairs were made for rural dwellers by local tradespeople such as the village carpenter, wheel right or coffin-maker. The style of the Welsh stick chair varies regionally, but the overall design is much like a ‘Windsor’ chair.

These chairs were made with a solid wooden seat. The legs and sticks were then socketed into the seat. The long back sticks were normally finished with a comb. The comb was a piece of wood, sometimes curved, sometimes straight, into which the tops of the sticks were mortised. Very occasionally there was a steam bow or hoop. Many of the chairs terminated at the arm, so the rear sticks did not come up to the level of the shoulders or head. These arm-chairs, which were quite common, are thought to be the forerunner of the smoker’s bow or captain’s chair.

Original Welsh stick chairs are hard to find and are highly sought after collectors’ items. Fortunately Steve with his skill and experience is able to recreate this charming traditional style and hand make one of these attractive chairs for you. He can even craft it to your own personal proportions and requirements.

If you would like a handmade table, handmade seating or handmade furniture created to your own specifications, please send an enquiry to info@handmade-oak-tables.com or call Steve directly on 07989 392421