"... Although one example has been recorded with the incised date of 1697, most surviving stick chairs are probably no earlier than the mid or late 18th century, by which date the variation was enormous. Many had short legs implying their use around the hearth rather than at a dining table, with many being in effect stools with a simple back support. The majority had arms, for strength as well as comfort, sometimes formed of a single piece, but more
usually of a curved section which had been halved and joined, often with an additional section inserted. The arm supports at the front were normally either bent backwards for strength, or of larger size than the other uprights. The rounded sections, including legs, were usually shaped with a drawknife rather than turned. The style often thought of as the most typical had tall back spokes with either a ‘comb’ top rail or a hoop ..."
Excerpt above taken from:"Welsh Furniture 1250 -1950: A Cultural History of Craftsmanship and Design"By Richard Bebb. Published by Saer Books
