Frederick Parker Collection on educational tour

Nine chairs from the historic Frederick Parker Collection, part of The Furniture Makers’ Company, have gone on the road to educate students.

The purpose of the roadshow is to increase the awareness of the Frederick Parker Collection as an outstanding resource for studying British furniture making and design from the 17th century to the present day.

The roadshow is being piloted at two venues, Rycotewood Furniture Centre (30 September – 11 October) and Brentside High School (11-22 November), with a view to visiting more in 2020.

Six chairs from the collection have gone to Rycotewood – the Utility Armchair, Antelope Chair, Jane Atfield Chairs, Anthemion Chair, Eagle Chair (replica) and Silvered Chair (replica). The chair selection that Brentside has will differ slightly, with the chairs on show being the Antelope Chair, the Jane Atfield Chairs, the Little Albert Chair, a Child’s High Chair, the Silvered chair (replica) and  an X-frame Chair.

It is the intention that Rycotewood and Brentside High School will be hubs to invite other educational establishments, speakers, students from other courses to make use of the chairs.

Claire Williams, strategic business development director of corporate member Ocee Design, gave a presentation at Rycotewood on Wednesday 2 October on the Antelope Chair, its history and as part of the Race Collection.

Claire said: “It was a great experience and I loved meeting all the students and the teaching staff. Everyone was positive, friendly and welcoming. We had about 30 young people ranging from those who had just started their studies to those in their final degree year. There was a mixture of furniture makers and designers so the college was well represented. They seemed to genuinely appreciate the opportunity to learn and look at different types of furniture.”

David Dewing, chairman of the Frederick Parker Collection, is visiting Rycotewood on Monday 7 October to give a presentation about the collection.