Lot Essay
These Grecian-scrolled and tablet-enriched dining-chairs, with palms carved on their crest-rails and pierced berried-laurel husk splats, are likely to have been supplied by Gillows of London and Lancaster. They closely relate to a set almost certainly supplied by Gillows to the 2nd Marquess of Sligo (d. 1845) for Westport House, co. Mayo, Ireland. The Wyatt family, who were closely associated with the Gillow family, were employed by both the 1st and 2nd Marquesses of Sligo at Westport and sketches for furniture supplied to Westport appear in Gillows' Estimate Sketch Books. The Sligo chairs were sold by a Family Trust, in these Rooms, 26 September 1996, lot 149.
The channelled decoration is also characteristic of the work of Gillows as seen in the slightly later chairs sold by the Lord Brownlow, Belton House, Lincolnshire, Christie's house sale, 30 April-2 May 1984, lot 55 and again by Christopher Cowlin, Esq., Lyegrove, Badminton, Avon, Christie's house sale, 26 September 1988, lot 113.
A set of six closely related dining-chairs was sold anonymously, Christie's South Kensington, 16 April 1997, lot 263.
The channelled decoration is also characteristic of the work of Gillows as seen in the slightly later chairs sold by the Lord Brownlow, Belton House, Lincolnshire, Christie's house sale, 30 April-2 May 1984, lot 55 and again by Christopher Cowlin, Esq., Lyegrove, Badminton, Avon, Christie's house sale, 26 September 1988, lot 113.
A set of six closely related dining-chairs was sold anonymously, Christie's South Kensington, 16 April 1997, lot 263.