Arundel Museum’s object of the month
The roof was smashed and part of the floor was missing.
It was put into the hands of antique furniture restorer, Major Michael Hay-Will, of Burpham.
Following research at the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Major spent some 100 hours, over a period of several months, on the work, during which time the roof and floor were repaired, and the leather exterior was repaired or replaced, as required.
The interior was re-upholstered in crimson damask.
The chair was reputedly used by the town mayor.
The back of the chair bears a small brass coronet of the period 1750-1820, which appears to be that of an Earl or Countess, but no Earl was ever a mayor of Arundel.