Senate House State Historic Site

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This writing-arm Windsor chair was probably converted from a low-back Windsor chair. The seat was replaced, and the five-spindle comb back was added when the chair was modified. The original right arm was replaced with a paddle surface for writing, and a small slide-drawer was added under the paddle. Writing-arm Windsor chairs were first developed ca. 1770, probably to provide businessmen in the American colonies who could not afford to purchase a full desk with a practical writing surface.

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This writing-arm Windsor chair was probably converted from a low-back Windsor chair. The seat was replaced, and the five-spindle comb back was added when the chair was modified. The original right arm was replaced with a paddle surface for writing, and a small slide-drawer was added under the paddle. Writing-arm Windsor chairs were first developed ca. 1770, probably to provide businessmen in the American colonies who could not afford to purchase a full desk with a practical writing surface.