BY THOMAS CHIPPENDALE, CIRCA 1770

This chair conforms to what Christopher Gilbert has identified as the 'uniform character' of Chippendale's chair designs of the 1770s. Although he never repeated twice an exact decorative permutation, the basic arrangement of elements is common among most provenanced suites of this date. The distinctive laurel wreath embellished crestrail set upon a guilloche-carved frame feature on a suite comprising eight armchairs and a pair of sofas in the Royal collection bearing George IV's brand mark and Windsor inventory number (see C. Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1978, vol. II, p. 109, fig. 185). Although this suite is undocumented, Chippendale's claim that he had received a 'great quantity of unexpected business...mostly for the Royal Family' supports a possible commission for a member of the Royal family. A suite, virtually identical to the Royal examples in the enrichment of the back and frame, was supplied by Chippendale to Sir Penistone Lamb, 1st Viscount Melbourne for the Saloon at Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire, circa 1773 (C. Gilbert, op.cit., pl.186). Two pairs of armchairs from this suite were sold by the Lord Brocket Will Trust, Christie's London, 8 July 1999, lots 80-81 (£133,500 and £106,000). A related bergère with closely related profile to the front and back legs was supplied in 1778 as part of a larger suite for Burton Constable (ibid, vol. II, p.99, fig.161). A further comparable bergère originally japanned green and white was supplied for the drawing room of the actor David Garrick for his house in Royal Adelphi Terrace in 1772 (ibid, p.98, fig.160).

In addition to its stylistic affinities with documented Chippendale furniture, this bergere has the constructional features that have been identified as characteristic of the workshop, including the exposed back-struts, cramp-cuts and batten-holes.