Jimmy Possum chair

"Jimmy Possum" chair (continued)

Another example of a Jimmy Possum chair.

“The original maker is said to be a local character from the Deloraine district of Tasmania who, like may pioneers and bush workers of the time, made a hollow tree his home, possum like. Another theory is that he earned his nickname after spending a night in a hollow tree following a lengthy session celebrating chair sales at a local inn. An alternative version has it that Jimmy was in fact a possum who came down from a tree each night to eat off a stick chair placed there, a prospective buyer of the chair being informed that it was ‘Jimmy’s chair.

“The Deloraine chairs were painted grey or green and sold for two shillings and sixpence…Several people are believed to have made Jimmy Possum style chairs in the Deloraine area between the 1890s and the 1930s.

“…The form owes something to traditional stick furniture, including the Windsor chair, although the legs of Windsor chairs don’t pass through the seat. This feature is typical of country stick furniture and ensures that the joints tightened when the chair is sat on. It relies on the legs being tapered and angled. They are also tapered to pass through the arms where they are secured by wedges.”

Does anyone know more about Jimmy Possum Chairs? If you make one (your version, of course) please send us a photo. (Just one photo, please … We’re still on dial-up.)

If you’re interested in learning more about woodworking in Australia you can contact mail@woodreview.com.au

Country Workshops Home Page

E-mail:
Drew Langsner
Phone:
828-656-2280 (Daily, 9-6 Eastern time)