I've just been told of a new exhibition at Compton Verney, on The Arts and Crafts House: Then and Now. Apparently, it features the Clissett ladderback armchair that belongs to Hereford Museum. The exhibition runs until 13th September, and further details can be found on the Compton Verney website.
The Hereford Museum chair is reputed to have been made by Clissett when he was over ninety years old. This story appears in several articles, but it is difficult to judge whether it is true. We know that he suffered from ill-health towards the end of his life - for example, when Edward Gardiner's apprentice went to Bosbury in 1910 (when Clissett was 93) to learn about chair-making, Clissett was ill and only his grandsons were available. In 1911, he was listed in the census as "retired". If he was still making chairs when over ninety, then that was a remarkable feat!
The Hereford Museum chair is reputed to have been made by Clissett when he was over ninety years old. This story appears in several articles, but it is difficult to judge whether it is true. We know that he suffered from ill-health towards the end of his life - for example, when Edward Gardiner's apprentice went to Bosbury in 1910 (when Clissett was 93) to learn about chair-making, Clissett was ill and only his grandsons were available. In 1911, he was listed in the census as "retired". If he was still making chairs when over ninety, then that was a remarkable feat!
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