An occasional series of questions from the public about vintage Heywood-Wakefield furniture

Question

I have a set of 4 chairs that have cane backs and seats. The height of their back is 21.5″ and the width between arms is 20″. On the underside of a couple of the arms, there’s a paper label that reads HEYWOOD-WAKEFIELD 0134 (possibly a 5 after the 4) CHICAGO, ILL. I was wondering if you’d be able to tell me the age of the chairs and what the style of the chair is called. Thank you so much for your time and have a great day!

Sincerely,
John C.

Heywood-Wakefield’s Answer

There is a chair shown in one reproduction catalog I have that looks like yours and bears the model number C 134 C. The catalog refers to it as a Double Cane Seat and Back, but that’s sort of obvious. Here’s what I can tell you from personal knowledge: The label says Heywood-Wakefield Company, so that means they are from after the merger in 1897. The fact that they have the more modern number C 134 C makes them later. The paper label provides a clue; this is an older form of their label, but I’m afraid I’m not an authority on the labels. My best guess would be 1920s or ’30s.

Best regards,
Leonard Riforgiato