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Lot Essay
These chairs, en suite with the previous lot, are probably from the set delivered to the 1st Earl of Hertford, around 1745 - 55. The interiors at Ragley were completed by the architect James Gibbs (d.1754) in the early 1750s, work on the shell of the house having started some 70 years earlier. Gibbs' Great Hall at Ragley has been described as 'one of the the greatest Baroque interiors in England'. They are likely to have been supplied by the skilled and prolific cabinet-maker William Hallett Snr. (d.1781) on the basis of their close similarity to chairs and a sofa at Langley Park, Norfolk. Some chairs from the suite remained at Ragley where they were photographed in the Billiards Room in the second half of the 20th century.
From 1935 ten of the chairs were in the collection of Israel (d.1972) and Rebecca Sieff (d.1966), at their Brook House apartment, one of London's most stylish addresses, decorated by the legendary Syrie Maugham with a blend of the traditional and Art Deco.
For further information see note to previous lot.
From 1935 ten of the chairs were in the collection of Israel (d.1972) and Rebecca Sieff (d.1966), at their Brook House apartment, one of London's most stylish addresses, decorated by the legendary Syrie Maugham with a blend of the traditional and Art Deco.
For further information see note to previous lot.