Parrot-Back Chairs c1720, Verdmont
The reign of Queen Anne (1702-1714) saw significant changes to furniture styles. Moving away from the heavy construction and carving of the Jacobeans, the emphasis centered on comfort, curving shapes, line and form. On display in the hall at Verdmont are several parrot-back chairs (see image), which are excellent examples of this shift in design. They are manufactured from Bermuda cedar and date to c.1720. Named after the parrot silhouette formed by the back splats, these chairs have pad feet and the front legs follow a delicate cabriole curve. Spiral volutes have been hand-carved at the joints between the legs and the seat, which are mirrored along the yoked crest rail. The design of these volutes was a common feature of furniture from Philadelphia and Virginia. This may well have been the source of inspiration for Bermuda craftsmen, who must have been kept busy as this style became popular with the island’s wealthier inhabitants. It is highly likely that the chairs originally had removeable bast seats that were wooden or woven from palmetto. Unusually, the backs have a double split, which would have allowed for extra ventilation, and the chairs do not have support stretchers but instead are double pegged for stability.