IF CHAIRS COULD SPEAK

I purchased an antique Victorian Queen Anne chair from a second hand shop several years ago.

It reminds me of one of those low armed, high backed dark wood and crimson velvet type chairs you see on the platforms of the ‘high churches’ of the Christian faith. You know, the chair which the aged, very dignified priest inhabits, as he awaits his turn in the pulpit. You know, the pastor who has three or four sets of letters behind his surname.

The chair is really quite a work of art. The extra wide seat and back are covered with red velvet, (as I inferred earlier) and the pinnacle of the back bears a beautiful multi-colored flora inlay. And suffice it to say, the arms and crest of the chair are decorated with vine-like carvings, and additional inlays.

I have been informed that the chair dates to the American Civil War, or slightly thereafter. To say it has been well made would be kin to saying that Arnold Schwarzenegger was an amateur body builder. I think you could jump up and down on the thing, and it would fare better than some of these modern pieces of furniture which pass for chairs.

I have often reflected on the previous owners of the chair.

Unfortunately, I made the mistake of not asking the second-hand dealer where he got it, or who might have owned the chair previous to that. Of course, I've wondered if it sat on the stage of some stately cathedral, or in the home of some steel baron of the 19th century.

What words were spoken in its presence? What plans were hatched in its shade? What famous derrieres have graced its red velvet seat? How many generations have been born, lived out their mortal existences, and gone on to their rewards while the chair remained in pristine condition?

What workman fashioned its framework? What master carved its inlays? What emotions were his when that glorious chair stood complete before him?

So like the poignant New Testament scriptural passage.

“Christ Jesus was found worthy of much greater honor than was Moses; just as the builder of a house merits greater honor than the house which he has built. For every house has been built by someone, but God is the Creator of everything.” (Hebrews 3:3-4. The McDonald Paraphrase of the New Testament)

The builder of the house (or chair) merits great honor than the house (or chair) which he has built.

I would have like to have known the man who took so much pride in his work. I think the constitution and character of this prized possession must be a pale, but fitting representation of the man, himself.

By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from "(Mc)Donald's Daily Diary" Vol. 74. Copyright pending

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