Armchairs by John Easten & Sons, Hull, c.1867-1880

These chairs have been designed with Victorian men's and women's clothing in mind. One of the chairs is for a gentleman. It has a shaped seat, perfect for someone wearing trousers. The lady's chair is wider and deeper than the gentleman's to allow space for her long skirt and petticoats. The rail connecting the legs of the lady's chair is higher up than the rail of the gentleman's chair. This was to allow her skirt to settle beneath the seat. John Easten & Sons were clearly very versatile. The firm advertised itself as a linen draper, upholsterer, and carpet, paperhanging, bedstead and bedding dealer. Furniture making seems to have been only a small part of the business. John Easten & Sons' premises were at 8 Market Place, Hull, from 1867-1900. Before this 8 Market Place was occupied by Fearne & Easten, a partnership between John Easten and John Fearne. Fearne & Easten sold fabric, carpets and wallpapers from around 1840 to 1867. John Fearne and John Easten seem to have been friends outside work. In 1858 they were living in adjoining houses at 5 and 6 West Parade, Abbey Road. Purchased by Hull Museums with assistance from the Heritage Lottery Fund.