Victorian Aesthetic Movement Hall Chair Minton Timon of Athens Moyr Smith Tile For Sale

An evocative late Victorian hall chair combining carved woodwork with a literary ceramic tile: Timon of Athens III.VI, from the Shakespeare series designed by John Moyr Smith for Minton. The tile depicts a scene from Act III, Scene VI, in which Timon confronts the guests at his banquet.The chair has a pierced, arched back with turned spindles, a carved fan crest, an inset black-and-white tile, a solid wooden seat, and turned front legs. The tile sits within the chair’s decorative back as an integrated feature of its design. A distinctive piece for a library, entry hall, or collection of Victorian decorative arts.Attribution and dating: The tile design corresponds to examples identified by the Powerhouse Collection and the National Gallery of Victoria as the work of John Moyr Smith for Minton. The chair appears late nineteenth century in style. The maker of the wooden chair has not been identified, and the reverse of the inset tile has not been examined for a factory mark. John Moyr Smith is credited here as the designer of the tile, not as the maker of the chair.Condition: Antique wear consistent with age and use, including surface marks and wear to the finish. One wooden plank has looseness at its join and may benefit from securing by a furniture conservator. Please see the detailed photographs, including the affected area, to assess its condition.