Description
A rare and elegant, Arts & Crafts, William Birch caned sofa and two armchairs, c.1900, fully-restored by our master craftspeople. The handmade, buttoned, rubberised ‘hog hair’, squab cushions (with FR cambric and calico) are upholstered in a highly-pigmented, 100% linen by Fermoie.
William Birch of High Wycombe was a furniture designer who specialised in chair making in the Arts & Crafts style. Renowned for his rush and cane seating, over a century later, these pieces are still highly prized for their comfort.
Birch supplied furniture to Liberty & Co of London. Both companies saw the value in mirroring the Arts & Crafts style but at a more accessible price-point than the custom made pieces by William Morris and his contemporaries of the ‘Cotswold School’.
Whilst Birch’s pieces were produced partly by machines they retained handcrafted, Arts & Crafts qualities, such as exposed joints and quarter sawn hardwoods.
Fermoie was a natural progression for Farrow & Ball founders, Tom Helme and Martin Ephson. It allowed for them to take their deep expertise in colour and light to a textural dimension
Their unique design and printing technique allows layers of colour, on the textured weaves, to shine through and interact with the prevailing light.
Using natural dyes, printed onto their own basecloths, Fermoie believe that beautiful fabrics should not come at the expense of the environment. They support a more sustainable textile industry by using natural raw materials, water-based pigments and recyclable or biodegradable packaging.
The pieces can be sold individually. Please call or e-mail us for more information.
We are happy to schedule a virtual viewing for this piece, answering any questions you may have, should you be unable to view it in person. Please contact us to schedule an appointment.
Dimensions:
Sofa – 105cm wide, 54cm deep, 88cm high
Large chair – 57.5cm wide, 53cm deep, 105cm high
Small chair – 51.5cm wide, 50cm deep, 95cm high