CORNISH WINDSOR CHAIRS WITH BENT ARM BOWS ARE CHARACTERISED IN HAVING LARGE OPEN BACKS AND ARM BOWS; TYPICALLY THEY HAVE ACUTE ANGLES TO THE ARM SUPPORTS AND LEGS. ASH WAS THE PREFERRED WOOD FOR THE BACKS AND LEGS, BUT A VARIETY OF WOODS WERE USED IN THE SEATS, INCLUDING SYCAMORE, AS IN THIS CASE, OR ASH AND THE OCCASIONAL USE OF BEECH. TYPICALLY SUCH CHAIRS WERE ORIGINALLY PAINTED BLUE/GREEN OR WITH RED LEAD PAINT USED TO SIMULATE MAHOGANY. OFTEN LAYERS OF BLUE/GREEN PAINT WITH LATER RED LEAD PAINT AND BLACK VARNISH OVER THIS ARE FOUND.

TYPICALLY, CHAIRS OF THIS TYPE HAVE LARGE, OFTEN FLATTENED TOP BOWS TO SUPPORT THE BACK SPINDLES. THIS IS A RARE EXAMPLE OF A COMB BACK WINDSOR OF THIS TYPE.

SEE DR B.D. BOTTON, THE ENGLISH REGIONAL CHAIR, WOODBRIDGE, 1991, PAGE 274 FIGS SW37-SW40 FOR EXAMPLES OF BOW BACK WINDSORS FROM CORNWALL WHICH SHOW MANY OF THE GENERIC FEATURES OF THIS CHAIR.