Lot Essay
The introduction around 1780 of the French-fashioned 'cabriole' armchair with Roman shield or pelta-scrolled back may be credited to the architect James Wyatt (d. 1813). His close working relationship with the cabinet-making and upholstery firm of Gillows of London and Lancaster may also have been responsible for the appearance of a closely related armchair pattern in the firm's 1786 Estimate Sketch Book (see L. Boynton (ed.), Gillow Furniture Designs 1760-1800, fig. 267). This 'cabriole chair' form was later popularised by Messrs. A. Hepplewhite & Co's, The Cabinet Maker and Upholsterer's Guide, 1788, (pl.10).
It is known that the Wyatts worked in Ireland, as both the 1st and 2nd Marquesses of Sligo employed James and Benjamin Wyatt respectively at Westport House, Co. Mayo, Ireland. The 1st Marquess and almost certainly the 2nd Marquess, were clients of Gillows, and a set of dining-chairs, attributed to Gillows, and supplied to the 2nd Marquess of Sligo for Westport, was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 26 September 1996, lot 149.
Four armchairs of this present pattern, with palm-wrapped frames enriched with Etruscan pearl strings, were sold by the late Sebastian Gilbey, in these Rooms, 25 May 1972, lot 17. Related chairs, likely to have been introduced to Castle Hill, Devon by Hugh, 3rd Baron and 1st Earl Fortescue, following his succession in 1785, are illustrated in C. Hussey, 'Castle Hill - II', Country Life, 25 March 1934 (figs. 5 and 7).
It is known that the Wyatts worked in Ireland, as both the 1st and 2nd Marquesses of Sligo employed James and Benjamin Wyatt respectively at Westport House, Co. Mayo, Ireland. The 1st Marquess and almost certainly the 2nd Marquess, were clients of Gillows, and a set of dining-chairs, attributed to Gillows, and supplied to the 2nd Marquess of Sligo for Westport, was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 26 September 1996, lot 149.
Four armchairs of this present pattern, with palm-wrapped frames enriched with Etruscan pearl strings, were sold by the late Sebastian Gilbey, in these Rooms, 25 May 1972, lot 17. Related chairs, likely to have been introduced to Castle Hill, Devon by Hugh, 3rd Baron and 1st Earl Fortescue, following his succession in 1785, are illustrated in C. Hussey, 'Castle Hill - II', Country Life, 25 March 1934 (figs. 5 and 7).