chair maker

Since the mid-17th century, a chair-maker is a craftsperson in the furniture trades specializing in chairs. Before that time seats were made by joiners, turners, and coffer makers, and woven seats were made by basketmakers. In 18th-century London, chair-makers might work on their own account, or within the workshop of upholders, as members of the upholstery trade were called. In 1803 Thomas Sheraton observed a division of labour that was of long standing in London and county towns: "Chair-making is a branch generally confined to itself, as those who professedly work at it, seldom engage to make cabinet furniture. In the country manufactories it is otherwise; yet even these pay some regard to keeping their workmen constantly at the chair, or to cabinet work. The two branches seem evidentl...