[MR] History Blog: Ann Boleyn’s Chair Goes on Show

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

Today's History Blog reports on a carved chair made for Ann Boleyn that
will be on display at Hever Castle, Ann's childhood home.

The chair is said to date from between 1510 and 1520, the years Ann was a
lady-in-waiting at the French court. It was made in the Loire Valley, a
center for high-end furniture at that time. The chair's back is covered
with symbolic carvings, including (tastefully) naked putti, dolphins, and
other lumpy gew-gaws that must have made leaning back quite uncomfortable.
Well, it probably wasn't designed for comfort, but rather to make a
statement about the owner's status and importance. Gimme cushions!

Ann's chair was spotted at a 2022 auction in New York by a Tudor furniture
expert. It isn't clear from the story whether he was working for the
auctioneers, or was able to buy the chair before announcing its importance.

Another question is did Ann have this chair with her at Hampton Court
Palace or some other royal residence during her brief reign as Queen, and
did Henry dispose of it in his crusade to remove all traces of Ann from the
palace decorations (his workmen missed at least one carving)?

The chair's story is at https://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/75935 .

Yours Aye,

Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆
Continuing a crusade to keep the original Merry Rose relevant and in
business.