AFTER A DESIGN BY MORGAN AND SANDERS, CIRCA 1810

The form of this metamorphic armchair/library steps corresponds closely to a design by the Catherine Street firm of Morgan and Sanders first published in Ackermann's Repository of the Arts in July 1811 (see P. Agius, Ackermann's Regency Furniture and Interiors, Marlborough, 1984, p.60, pl.29). This chair was 'considered the best and handsomest article ever yet invented, where two complete pieces of furniture are combined in one - an elegant and truly comfortable armchair and a set of library steps'.

A chair of this precise model was sold, the property of a Gentleman, Christie's London, 15 June 2000, lot 95. Another similar was sold stamped B. Harmer sold Sotheby's London, 24 April 1998, lot 152 (£20,700) and a further example, Sotheby's London, 11 July 1997, lot 83 (£14,950).