PROPERTY FROM THE HARVARD ART MUSEUMS, SOLD TO BENEFIT THE ACQUISITIONS FUND (LOT 403)

AN IRISH GEORGE III MAHOGANY SETTEE

CIRCA 1760

Details

AN IRISH GEORGE III MAHOGANY SETTEE
CIRCA 1760
With pierced solid mahogany trellis back centered by a shell, with outswept arms above striped silk seat and fluted legs, formerly with brackets and casters, with white accession number to reverse of back rail painted 1943.1374/FOGG MUSEUM

Provenance

[Possibly] William Randolph Hearst, Esq., Christie's, London, 18 May 1939, lot 36 (£96.12 to Signet).
Bequest of Grenville L. Winthrop, New York in 1943.

Literature

C.E. Russell, 'Some Rare Types of English Furniture', Old Furniture, A Magazine of Domestic Ornament, May 1929, p. 41.

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

View condition report

Lot Essay

The pair to this settee was by Christie's, New York, 16 April 1994, lot 223 ($13,800). A settee of this design, and possibly this example, formed part of the collection assembled by the publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst over a span of twenty years. The scale and diversity of Heart's buying was legendary which forced him into bankruptcy. The settee was sold at Christie's (18 May 1939, lot 36), one of a series of sales in the late 1930s and 1940s to settle his debts. The settee was part of the extraordinary bequest of Grenvile Winthrop to Harvard University upon his death in 1943.

Another settee of this design was sold anonymously, Christie's, New York, 16 April 1994, lot 223 ($13,800).

An armchair with a related trellis splat sold anonymously; Christie's, London, 12 June 2002, lot 187.

More from 500 Years Decorative Arts Europe including Oriental Carpets

View All