Fanciful 'ribbon'-back 'parlour' chairs, such as those illustrated in William de la Cour's, First Book of Ornaments, 1741, followed the introduction of mahogany during the reign of King George II. However this chair's 'cusps' reflect the fashionable 1760's 'gothic' style at the start of King George III's reign, and its particular 'bow-tied and double-looped' pattern relates to those invented by Matthias Darly c. 1750 and illustrated in his Chair-Maker's Guide', 1766 and in Robert Manwaring's Cabinet and Chair-maker's Real Friend and Companion, 1765. An example with cabriole legs appeared in these Rooms, 21 November 1985, lot 21