An extremely rare and most interesting example from the 1740s of huang-huali and other timbers. The shaped top rail with scroll carved centre and floral carved "ears" above a scroll shaped pierced splat back; the arms and supports curved. The seat frame with shaped apron and drop-in seat, the front cabriole legs with carved and pounced knees on pad feet. The seat wider at the front to accommodate the dress of the period. A small number of fine side and open armchairs showing faithful adherence to European and English prototypes were made in Canton between 1740 and 1760. Most of these are well recorded. Not so are those made in provincial areas, of unquestionable English inspiration but with general form and decorative elements showing a distinctly Chinese interpretation. Chairs and other items of houshold furniture in this category are rare today because they so often remained in situ when the Western incumbent left for home, and little merit was accorded to them after that. For all 18th century Chinese furniture made in the European style, unless fully documented, the question remains as to whether it was copied from an original piece transported abroad, a portrait showing such a piece in use, or just the fond recollection of a traveller far from home describing as best he could something to make his life less alien.
Height: 38” (96.5 cm) Seat: 19” (48cm)
Width: 27” (68.5 cm)
Depth: 26” (66 cm)
Circa 1750
£8,500
On loan to Benjamin Franklin House, 36 Craven St, London. Click here for details.
The carving to the front cabriole legs and arm supports is exemplary, and well reflects the period and rococo style fashionable during the second quarter of the 18th century. The proportions are faultless and the comfort supreme, being aided by traditional upholstery applied in our own workshops and a cover of silk woven in France. Illustrated double full page in "Chairs" by Judith Miller.
Circa 1755
Height: 37 inch (94 cm)
Width: 30 inch (76 cm)
Depth: 27 inch (68 cm)
POA
The Gainsborough Chair as it surely defines English "interiors of the Georgian period" (or) “Georgian drawing rooms, libraries, studies and interior paintings of the period". In fact it is popularly believed to have taken its name from Thomas Gainsborough the renowned 18th century portraitist due to its regular presence for sitters in his works.
An open arm chair with upholstered wide back, seat and arms, early 18th century examples were known as French Chairs, inspired by French Rococo designs so popular at the time. From those chairs with shapely frames and ornately carved arms and legs to the later plainer chairs with square section legs and rectangular backs my pick is of the former category. An exemplary chair attributable to the workshops of Matthias Lock, another of his chairs can be seen in the V&A Museum.
The drop in seat below a beautifully carved top splat and turned central rail with finials, the reeded and decorated scroll arms resting on stylised capitols on the polished seat rails; standing on scroll cabriole legs to the front and splay to the back.
Circa 1815
Height: 36.50 inch (93 cm) Seat height: 19.25 inch (49cm)
Width: 24 inch (61 cm)
Depth: 23 inch (58.4 cm)
£4,500
A good mid-18th century French oak high back open armchair. The upholstered seat and back with shaped arms and apron standing on fine cabriole legs joined with cross stretcher and central carved boss. The apron carved on all sides with central shell motif and scroll and foliate decoration; the arm supports, legs and feet also carved with stylized leaf designs. Standing well and extremely comfortable the chair has been reupholstered in our workshop and covered with a French embroidery fabric depicting a landscape view through greenery and berries.
Circa 1750
Height: 43 inch (109cm)
Width: 28 inch (71cm)
Depth: 28 inch (71cm)
£4,450
A Fine George II period mahogany and beech framed wing chair with cabriole legs front and back.
Circa 1750
Height: 46 inch (117cm)
Width: 31 inch (79cm)
Depth: 32 inch (81cm)
POA
Register interest
< BACK TO SEATING & BEDS