Recreating Y Gadair Ddu / The Black Chair

Y Gadair Ddu (The Black Chair) is one of the most iconic pieces of furniture in Wales, primarily for the personal and poignant story associated with it and the history of the First World War. It is an excellent example of early 20th century furniture, and has ornate carvings reflecting Christian, Greek and Celtic symbols and was designed by Eugeen Vanfleteren, a Belgian refugee craftsman.

The original Black Chair, awarded posthumously to poet Hedd Wyn in the 1917 National Eisteddfod, remains in Hedd Wyn’s home (Yr Ysgwrn), but as part of Cymru’n Cofio Wales Remembers 19141918, a full-scale 3D replica was made so more people could see and experience the iconic chair and what it represents. In 2013, the original Black Chair was scanned at Yr Ysgwrn using 3D technology, through a partnership between Cardiff University’s School of Engineering, the Snowdonia National Park Authority and Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales. The Welsh Government and other partners supported the project. The 3D scanning and printing works included other companies who reassembled the 20 parts and finished it to match natural wear and tear of the existing chair. The replica was unveiled by the then First Minister, Rt Hon Carwyn Jones MS, in January 2015 at the Senedd and since then it has been displayed in Brussels and across Wales, including at the 2017 Urdd Eisteddfod, National Eisteddfodau, Cardigan Castle and St Fagans National Museum of History.

Left: Y Gadair Ddu (The Black Chair). By kind permission of Jan Davies