Learn to Make a Jimmy Possum Style Chair

About this workshop

In this 4-day workshop participants will learn about the story and the tools, skills and knowledge used in constructing the iconic Australian Jimmy Possum style chair.

Through special behind the scenes access to historic examples of Jimmy Possum chairs held in the Gold Rush Collections, participants will measure up their design and then learn the techniques of using traditional materials, hand tools and methods for sizing, shaping, drilling, and assembling a classic Jimmy Possum style chair. You will work in a small group of 6 participants.

At the end of the workshop, participants will have a clearer understanding of the historical significance and design of the Jimmy Possum chair, as well as a completed chair in the style of the Jimmy Possum tradition to take home with them.

The Jimmy Possum chair originated in the Deloraine district of northern Tasmania, thought to have been crafted in the mid-to-late 19th Century by an enigmatic bush carpenter (and subsequently carried on by local families).

The Jimmy Possum chair has a simple yet ingenious design. Using a simple toolkit from locally available hewn timbers, the design typically relies on taper-shaved legs passing through the seat to become the posts for the arms, which in turn interlock with the back, creating a rugged, elegant and distinctive vernacular chair form.

While the universal appeal of the Jimmy Possum chair is undeniable, the mystery surrounding the identity of its original designer and maker adds to its legendary status. This enigma speaks to Australians' love of iconic historical figures and our appreciation for native bush design.