A Late 20thC Maimana Kilim Upholstered Swivel Lounge Armchair c.1980

Origin: English
Period: Late 20thC
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1980
Height: 41” at back or 18” at seat
Width: 31”
Depth: 28” (all approximate & at extremities)

The large and comfortable egg shaped swivel armchair having an maimana kilim upholstered cushioned backrest & seat with splayed elbow rests, raised on a quadruple chrome swivel base with adjustable lever to one side, and surviving from the fourth quarter of twentieth century England.

The condition is very good with only light expected wear commensurate with use. The lever adjusts the back so it remains in one place or reclines.

Kilim upholstered furniture has been a popular bohemian covering for sofas since the nineteenth century. The likes of George Smith, and Liberty were always keen on upholstering using kilim. These tribal kilims are woven by Uzbek weavers in the central Afghan region in and around the city of Maimana. These pieces are easily recognizable by their simple patterns of diamonds and triangles, in bold reds, oranges, blues and browns, the central designs often being delineated by white borders. 

The history of modern swivel chairs dates back to 1775, with their invention credited to Thomas Jefferson. As the story goes, Jefferson needed a more convenient chair option for handling mass amounts of paperwork at his desk, leading to him taking apart a Windsor chair and reassembling it with an iron spindle and casters designed for window covering pulley systems. 

Fun, very comfortable and timeless.