A rare and important Arts & Crafts armchair, designed by E.G. Punnett and manufactured by William Birch Ltd. of High Wycombe circa 1901. This chair is an iconic example of Arts & Crafts design, incorporating solid oak construction, ebony inlaid floral motifs, and handwoven rush seat panels.

This particular model, design no. 906, was Punnett’s first and most successful collaboration with William Birch and was retailed through Liberty & Co. The combination of traditional craftsmanship with Art Nouveau-inspired detailing reflects the transition from Arts & Crafts ideals to early 20th-century decorative design.

A chair of this exact design is held in the permanent collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), London, under accession number CIRC.400:1, 2-1959. Another identical example is also found in Lotherton Hall’s collection, further cementing its historical and artistic significance.

This piece stands as an exceptional collector’s item, representing the finest traditions of British Arts & Crafts furniture-making at the turn of the 20th century.