The Sage Súgán Chair
12 Apr 2011Last week I nipped into the local charity shop to see if I might find any new styling props or possible furnishings for our thatched farmhouse project. The first thing that caught my eye were three very old chairs with the most beautiful green woven seats. Little did I know, before me stood a trio very old (possibly 100+ years) Irish súgán chairs. While I’ve come across updated versions of this style of chair in America, I was not aware that these gorgeous wooden chairs with seats made from woven twine stretched over the frame had originated in Ireland.
Súgán chairs are crafted without nails and their strength relies solely on the framework design and the mortise & tenon wood joints that hold it together. The final part in the construction of a Sugan chair is an element known as the “weave” which you sit upon. Long ago, the material used in the process was hemp, today it has been replaced by twine. Apparently, in our area the style of weave used was locally known as the “Smearla Weave” which is believed to date back over 120 years. More importantly, this type of weave was meant to provide comfort and strength to the whole frame of these Irish chairs.
Notice the beautifully faded green twine
Pulled and woven over the seat of each chair
Such an admirable + time-honoured design
I couldn’t help but wonder……what would these sage Súgán chairs tell us if they could talk?
Slan Abhaile,
Imen
Photos by Imen McDonnell
Tags: design, farmer, food, foodie, history, Imen McDonnell, ireland, Irish, Married an Irish Farmer, Súgán chairs
Hello,
I am currently do a project that requires in-depth history of Súgán Chairs, dose anyone know where i could get this?
Really appreciated.
John
Hi
I really like the chairs too!
You might like to be aware of our new publication Clonakilty Living, as it mayfit with you in some way.
We will be running an article about the Sugan chair in the winter issue.
Reagrds
Sara
Creative Director
Clonakilty living
Hi there,
Can I ask where you aer based? and if you are running any classes/workshops in 2015.
Thank you,
Bernadette 🙂
Alison, We too live in NI (Co. Down) and wish to have our old chair re-women in traditional style. Any details of where to go and prices. Thank you.
Goodness what a find! They’re lovely.
I had no idea they originated in Ireland either! I found a beautiful red one at a garage sale and how I love it. 🙂
Oooh a red one would be divine! Thanks Krista! xx
Wow love these chairs!
Thank you Rowaida..they are really lovely. x
I love these photos. I found myself getting a bit mesmerised, staring at them… it’s always lovely when people see beauty in items that you know you would just pass by. It makes you rethink everything, in a way.
Thanks a million Rosemary! They are really gorgeous…and have so much history! Imen x