A Fine, Rare and Important English High-Style Regency Period Library Couch in Rosewood with Gilt Metal Mounts in the Manner of George Smith. Decorated all round this exceptional piece is intended to stand in a central position. Retaining its original upholstery, cushion and pad, re-covered in Lelievre's Lampas Directoire Bleu, conforming precisely with that of the period. Ref: George Smith’s Collection of Designs for Household Furniture Plates 40 - 65 & Ackerman’s Regency Furniture & Interiors Plates 1 & 25
Circa 1815
Height: 37.5 inch (95 cm)
Width: 84 inch (213 cm)
Depth:27.5 inch (70 cm)
Register Interest
An Important set of Library Steps made in Oak for Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, circa 1840. Of fine golden colour they display in all carved elements the hand of ecclesiastical as well as secular craftsmanship typical of the first half of the 19th century, with free flowing curves and scrolls executed with flair and a natural feeling for the timber restrained only by the disciplines of the period. In excellent condition throughout they retain the original castors and are surmounted by a book platform as decreed beneficial by Thomas Sheraton.
Circa 1840
Height: 76 inch (193 cm)
Width: 21.5 inch (55 cm)
Depth: 43 inch (109 cm)
POA
A charming George II period mahogany footstool in the Chinoiserie manner to designs published by Thomas Chippendale and Ince and Mayhew.
The frame decorated with blind fret* supported on four scroll feet,** re-upholstered and covered in antique silk fabric in the traditional manner. c.1755.
For the inspiration of the trellis pattern see The Furniture Designs of Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton , 1938 by J Munro Bell. Page 31.
**For the feet see ‘Designs for Parlour Chairs’ in William Ince and John Mayhew’s Universal System 1759-63. For ease of reference see The Dictionary of English Furniture Vol 2, Page 264, Fig 2. Right foot to first chair and Page 183, Fig 73. Left foot to fourth stool.
For an example of the earlier Chinese influenced foot see D.O.E.F Page 138, fig 7.
Images of * & ** below.
POA
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
An important pair of carved and giltwood settees of attractive small size showing several features* characteristic of Thomas Chippendale.
*The vertical bearer to the backs and the clamp grooves to the underside of the frames.
Formerly at Stapleford Park, Leicestershire thence to Ufford Old Rectory , the home of Margaret, Lady Gretton.
A photograph taken in 1907 showing the settees in situ at Stapelford Park, the Gretton family seat, is available.
Circa 1775
Height: 40 inch (102 cm)
Width: 52 inch (132 cm)
Depth: 23 inch (58 cm)
POA
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 fine and rare example of Regency furniture attributable to the designs and workshops of George Smith, 1786-1826. A parcel-gilt adjustable piano music stool in rosewood.
Excellent condition; the gilding restored; original upholstery, seat recovered in black horsehair.
Circa 1830
Height: 21.50 inch (55 cm)
Width: 20 inch (51 cm)
Depth: 20 inch (51 cm)
£12,500
A rare large painted stick back Windsor chair dating to the late 18th century period. The paint refreshed mid 20th century
Circa 1770
Height: 42 inch (107 cm) Seat Height: 18 inch (46cm)
Width: 26 inch (66 cm) Seat Width: 18-13 inch (46-33cm)
Depth: 19½ inch (50 cm) Seat Depth: 14½ inch (37cm)
£2,450
On loan to Benjamin Franklin House, 36 Craven St, London. Click here for details.
A fine 19th century mahogany four-poster bed. The front posts of square form to the lower part with central turned and stylized leaf carved collar and tapering octagonal upper part below leaf carved capitol, in the Gillows manner, and mahogany top frame.
In fine condition but whilst the dressings and mattress are supplied, we recommend replacing them.
Circa 1835
Height: 101.5 inch (258cm) Width: 77 inch (196cm) Depth: 86 inch (218cm)
£17,500
This superb set of chairs in the Chippendale manner with carved and pierced splat backs, serpentine front seat rails, blind fret moulded front legs and splay back legs. The two carvers with wonderful carved outswept arms and supports. Of exceptional quality.
The weight of timber, craftsmanship and carving is of the finest quality; this is an outstanding set of chairs.
Circa 1870
Height: 39 inch (99 cm)
Width: 28.5 inch (72 cm)
Depth: 22 inch (56 cm)
POA
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 George II style oak side chair with splat back, drop in seat and front cabriole legs.
£250
On loan to Benjamin Franklin House, 36 Craven St, London. Click here for details.
Comfort matters, but so does silhouette. This selection spans chairs, sofas, settees, chaise longues, stools, and occasional beds, with examples that range from formal showpieces to practical everyday seating with handsome lines. Look for good frames, confident carving, and well-shaped arms and backs that sit comfortably in both classic and more contemporary interiors, all finished with either original covers or bespoke upholstered in our own workshops to finish and fabric of your choice.
A fantastic pair of George II period walnut Side Chairs, the shaped carved splat backs over drop in seats on the cabriole legs with carved knees terminating in ball and claw feet to the front and chamfered splay legs to the back.
Circa 1750
Height: 37.5" / 95cm Width: 21.5" / 55cm Depth: 19" / 48cm Seat height: 18" / 45.7cm
£5,500
On loan to Benjamin Franklin House, 36 Craven St, London. Click here for details.
Register interest
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