Lot Essay
While these chairs cannot be identified to a specific workshop, the quality of craftsmanship and sophistication of design would suggest an attribution to a leading cabinetmaker. The unusual design of the scrolled arm supports in combination with the reeded elements and stop-fluted panelled legs are closely related to a pair of library armchairs sold by Christie's London, 9 July 1992, lot 23. The various reeded elements on both groups appear in the documented work of William Trotter, the Edinburgh cabinetmaker, Of note is the suite of 'Grecian' seat furniture supplied by Trotter for the Library at Paxton House in the mid-1820's (see F.Bamford, 'A Dictionary of Edinburgh Wrights and Furniture Makers', F.H.S.J., 1983, pl.50-53). Another set of chairs of similar quality stamped 'B.Harmer' was sold by Christie's London, 11 April 1991, lot 83. While information on this cabinetmaker is scarce, his stamp also appears on the magnificent suite of dolphin furniture supp,ied by Marsh and Tatham (circa 1797-99) for the Music Room at Powderham Castle, Devon. Harmer appears to have been a talented chairmaker who was employed by the foremost designers and retailers of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.