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Charleston Manor, Sussex, whose origins date from the 12th cenutry, was the home of the fashionable painter Sir Oswald Birley, M.C., and his vivacious Irish beauty, Rhoda Lecky Pike. Together the couple restored the famous gardens and after Sir Oswald's death, Lady Birley held the annual Charleston Manor Festival in June, gathering together painters, musicians and writers for a lively exchange of ideas in congenial surroundings.

AN IRISH MAHOGANY STOOL

BY HICKS OF DUBLIN, LATE 19TH EARLY 20TH CENTURY

Details

AN IRISH MAHOGANY STOOL
BY HICKS OF DUBLIN, LATE 19TH EARLY 20TH CENTURY
The padded seat covered in needlwork with foliage framing three mythical fighting animals, above a shaped apron centred by a shell issuing laurel swags with carved C-scroll and rockwork decoration above, on cabriole legs headed by acanthus, on paw feet, the frame stamped twice '5 L.R.PEMBROKE ST. J. HICKS'
18 in. (46 cm.) high; 30½ in. (77.5 cm.) wide; 18½ in. (47 cm.) deep

Provenance

Lady Birley, Charleston Manor, Sussex; Christie's house sale, 14-15 October 1980, lot 633.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

This stool bears the stamp of the celebrated Dublin cabinetmaker James Hicks and Sons of 5 and 6 Lower Pembroke Street. Hicks' letter-head described him as 'Cabinet-maker, collector and restorer of Chippendale, Adams, and Sheraton furniture', and his firm emulated and transcribed the unique style of late 18th century Irish cabinet-making. This stool boldly reflects the dynamic blend of Palladian, Rococo and late Baroque carving characterisitc of Irish dark mahogany furniture in the middle of the 18th century.

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