Victorian Mahogany Studio Easel by Joseph Fitter of Birmingham
£1,100.00
Description
This exceptional large-scale professional artist's easel is a quintessential piece of high-Victorian studio equipment. Constructed from solid mahogany with a deep, characterful patina, it represents the pinnacle of 19th-century mechanical design for the arts.
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Delivery Leadtime
International delivery is estimated at 5-7 working days.
Full details will be confirmed during the ordering process.
Victorian Mahogany Studio Easel by Joseph Fitter of Birmingham
This exceptional large-scale professional artist's easel is a quintessential piece of high-Victorian studio equipment. Constructed from solid mahogany with a deep, characterful patina, it represents the pinnacle of 19th-century mechanical design for the arts.
The easel features a sophisticated mechanical "rise-and-fall" system patented by Joseph Fitter. Operating from the Britannia Works on Cheapside in Birmingham, Fitter was a celebrated machinist and patentee. While his high-precision screw-extender mechanisms are most famously found in the era’s finest expanding dining tables, they were also adapted for elite studio furniture to allow for the effortless adjustment of heavy, large-scale canvases.
The central brass collar is a hallmark of quality, deeply stamped with the Royal Coat of Arms and the maker’s mark:
"JOSEPH FITTER PATENTEE, BRITANNIA WORKS CHEAPSIDE, BIRMINGHAM".
The height of the central tray is adjusted via a signature heavy-gauge steel threaded screw, operated by a robust bronze four-spoke hand-wheel.
Built on a sturdy H-frame base, the easel is designed for maximum stability when supporting significant weight.
The upper section includes a sliding mahogany clamp to securely hold the top of a canvas in place.
At the base, a deep full-width trough provides ample space for brushes, palettes, and oils.
The base terminates in its original inset castors, allowing this substantial piece of furniture to be moved easily within a studio environment.
Condition Report
This easel is more than a functional tool; it is a piece of art history. The mahogany has mellowed into a rich, dark tone, showing "studio chatter"—authentic traces of historical paint splatters and marks that document its decades of professional use.
The Joseph Fitter screw mechanism remains in excellent working order, providing smooth, reliable movement.
The wood displays an honest, aged patina with minor historical indentations and surface wear consistent with a 19th-century working atelier.
Measurements
Height: cm / inch
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Weight: k.g. / lbs
Cleaning, Polishing & Restoration
All our collections have been through our workshop and where possible, we always try to maintain the original finish preserving the patina and colour, some items are sympathetically restored and this is done by our own skilled craftsmen using only traditional methods
