We were delighted to restore this beautiful Early Ercol 338 Cowhorn Chair, one of Lucian Ercolani’s most iconic and collectible designs, dating from the early 1950s.
This exceptional fireside chair arrived at our workshop ready for a new lease of life. Our aim was to preserve its original character while carefully restoring the timber to showcase the warmth and beauty of the elm and beech for many more years to come.
Bringing a classic Ercol design back to life
The Ercol 338 Cowhorn Chair is admired for its elegant proportions and distinctive sculptural form. This early example featured many of the characteristics collectors value most, including a thick, scalloped solid elm seat, beautifully shaped arm supports and finely crafted back spindles.
Its steam-bent beech backrest gives the chair its famous “Cowhorn” name. Early versions like this are especially sought after, thanks to their more sculpted design and exceptional craftsmanship.
Carefully restored using traditional methods
As with all our restorations, we respected the chair’s originality throughout the process. The timber was carefully cleaned, sympathetically refinished using traditional Danish oil and wax, and gently polished to enhance the natural grain without masking the character that only decades of use can create.
This chair also retained its original blue Ercol paper label and the original cushion fasteners beneath the seat—wonderful period details that help confirm its authenticity and add to its historical appeal.
The finished chair was left with a rich, warm lustre while preserving the timeless quality that has made early Ercol furniture so enduringly popular.
A successful restoration
Following its restoration, this beautiful Cowhorn Chair found a new home, where we hope it will be enjoyed for many years to come. We are always pleased to see these wonderful pieces given a second life rather than being lost to time.
If you’re looking for restored Ercol or other quality Mid-Century furniture, we’d love to help. Although this chair has now been sold, we regularly restore unique vintage pieces, so please browse our current collection or get in touch if you’re searching for something specific.
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