FDA-A.1053-2020
Parts
Object number
FDA-A.1053-2020
Object type
Identification
Title
Macnaghten Library Easy Chair
Title Type
assigned by cataloguer
Description
Tan leather upholstered library armchair, second quarter 20th century, outward scrolled padded back and arms and seat, squat cabriole front legs, pad feet, raking rear legs
Comments
This library armchair was designed by the Architect Edmond Lancelot (‘Bear) Warre and relates to several pieces of furniture that were made for the Macnaghten Room. There is a pencil drawing by Edmond Warre for the design of this
chair signed ‘Yours ever Edmond Warre' and ‘Morocco”, “about £12”.
In August 1929, the Vice-Provost Hugh Macnaghten a former House Master, was declared missing. His body was later discovered in the Thames. He had suffered the loss of a great number of Old Boys, known personally to him, during the War. Eugen Millington-Drake, a boy in Hugh Macnaghten's house from 1901 to 1908, was deeply affected by the loss of his former House Master and, he had seen many of his contemporaries at Eton killed in the War. The latter was inspired to establish a memorial to both his House Master Macnaghten, and the 53 former boys of their house, as well as eight other Eton friends. The project would culminate in the redevelopment of a section of the School Hall and Library buildings: a new Myers Museum was created at the back of School Hall, the former museum interior in School Library was redesigned to become the Macnaghten Library.
Edmond Lancelot (‘Bear) Warre, was the son of the former Head Master and Provost, Edmond Warre, was the architect. Born in 1877 at Eton, the son of Dr Edmond Warre (Head Master of Eton 1884-1905 and Provost of Eton 1909-1918), Edmund Lancelot Warre was educated at Eton College and Balliol College, Oxford. He served in the First World War as a captain in the King's Royal Rifle Corps and the Royal Air Force. Although now little-remembered, during his career Warre was described as a ‘well-known' architect
and often referred to as the ‘Eton architect' in contemporary press reports. He worked as the college architect from about 1911. His designs elsewhere include several significant projects and a feature of his interiors is the warm oak panelling, like that seen in the Macnaghten Library.
chair signed ‘Yours ever Edmond Warre' and ‘Morocco”, “about £12”.
In August 1929, the Vice-Provost Hugh Macnaghten a former House Master, was declared missing. His body was later discovered in the Thames. He had suffered the loss of a great number of Old Boys, known personally to him, during the War. Eugen Millington-Drake, a boy in Hugh Macnaghten's house from 1901 to 1908, was deeply affected by the loss of his former House Master and, he had seen many of his contemporaries at Eton killed in the War. The latter was inspired to establish a memorial to both his House Master Macnaghten, and the 53 former boys of their house, as well as eight other Eton friends. The project would culminate in the redevelopment of a section of the School Hall and Library buildings: a new Myers Museum was created at the back of School Hall, the former museum interior in School Library was redesigned to become the Macnaghten Library.
Edmond Lancelot (‘Bear) Warre, was the son of the former Head Master and Provost, Edmond Warre, was the architect. Born in 1877 at Eton, the son of Dr Edmond Warre (Head Master of Eton 1884-1905 and Provost of Eton 1909-1918), Edmund Lancelot Warre was educated at Eton College and Balliol College, Oxford. He served in the First World War as a captain in the King's Royal Rifle Corps and the Royal Air Force. Although now little-remembered, during his career Warre was described as a ‘well-known' architect
and often referred to as the ‘Eton architect' in contemporary press reports. He worked as the college architect from about 1911. His designs elsewhere include several significant projects and a feature of his interiors is the warm oak panelling, like that seen in the Macnaghten Library.
Description
Dimensions
height (actual size): 730mm
width (actual size): 760mm
depth (actual size): 860mm
width (actual size): 760mm
depth (actual size): 860mm
Material
wood
leather
beechwood
leather
beechwood
Physical description
Tan leather upholstered library armchair; with outward scrolled padded back, arms and seat, on beechwood squat cabriole front and raking rear legs, on pad front feet
Production
Person
Warre, Edmond Lancelot, 1877 - 1961 (Architect)
Date
c.1938
