Peter Cooper?, R. W. Winfield & Co. Birmingham

Rocking chair

England, Birmingham, 1851, produced by R. W. Winfield & Co., flat iron rods, round frame, hanged upholstery (removed unoriginal covering), upholstered arm-rest, rest of grain - probably original, size 103 x 77 x 72 cm Provenance: J. Klauda – pharmacist, travellerl and antique collector. Faunded Klauda´s muzeum in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, later renamed Jaroňěk muzeum. This armchair from bent tubular steel was a precursor to the bentwood Thonet furniture. This important and rare piece of furniture is regularly offered at the world-class auctions. Armchair was displayed at the London World Exposition 1851 and at the World Expo 1862. Design attributed to Peter Cooper (1791–1883), American manufacturer, inventor and philanthropist who built the Canton Iron Works in Baltimore (Maryland) where he designed and constructed the first steam locomotive built in America. Lit.: Ostergard Derek E. ed., Bent Wood and Metal Furniture: 1850–1946, The American Federation of Arts, New York 1987, pg. 211,