Welsh Stick Chairs

The original Welsh stick chair was often a primitive type of chair that was made from readily available local timber, often without the need for steam bending. The chairs that I make are based on this form, with traditional through wedged joints for attaching the legs and a hand carved seat, arm bow and comb.

The legs are hand shaped and octagonal in form, with a gentle taper towards the seat. They are joined by shaped stretchers, which add strength. The arm bow is made from jointed pieces of timber to provide a comfortable curve which is held in place by the through sticks that make up the back. This is then topped with the gently curved comb.

The seats are carved by hand using an adze and a travisher, both of which are curve bladed tools designed for scooping out a comfortable seat.

The sticks are shaped by hand from straight timber and are tapered between the arm bow and the comb

The oak chair pictured on the left above has six through sticks. These have been positioned gently sloping backwards to create a comfortable chair for lounging by the fire reading a book, or sitting watching television. Currently available in our online store.

The ash chair on the right is a more upright chair, designed to be used at a table. This has eight sticks going through the arm bow up to the curved comb at the top.