THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN
(LOTS 80-81)
The design of these chairs is closely related to that of the Houghton eagle suite, of which one pair was sold in the Houghton sale, in these Rooms, 8 December 1994, lot 130. That suite was supplied to Sir Robert Walpole, later 1st Earl of Orford (1676-1745) for the Marble Parlour at Houghton, in the early 1730s. The original location of the Bolton chairs is not known. James Gibbs built a new house at Cannam Heath in Hampshire for the 3rd Duke of Bolton (d.1754). Cannam Heath was a comparatively modest house and it is tempting to suggest that these chairs were supplied for the still 17th Century house at Hackwood Park nearby. Unfortunately these chairs are not identifiable in the 1765 inventory of Hackwood which shows the house very largely refurnished in a fashionable style after John Vardy's alterations of the early 1760s. Furthermore the 3rd Duke is known to have used Hackwood very little although he did commission plans for its alteration from James Gibbs which were never executed.
A PAIR OF EARLY GEORGE II WALNUT OPEN ARMCHAIRS
Details
A PAIR OF EARLY GEORGE II WALNUT OPEN ARMCHAIRS
Each with a rectangular padded back and bowed seat covered in tufted green velvet, the outscrolled arms terminating in eagle-heads on downswept supports, on cabriole legs headed by scallop shells, on claw feet, restorations, the cross-struts and some angle-brackets replaced, later ear-blocks behind the angle-brackets, the back legs in beech and replaced approximately 100 years ago (2)
Each with a rectangular padded back and bowed seat covered in tufted green velvet, the outscrolled arms terminating in eagle-heads on downswept supports, on cabriole legs headed by scallop shells, on claw feet, restorations, the cross-struts and some angle-brackets replaced, later ear-blocks behind the angle-brackets, the back legs in beech and replaced approximately 100 years ago (2)
Provenance
Probably supplied to the 3rd Duke of Bolton (d. 1754), possibly for the house designed for him by James Gibbs circa 1725 at Cannam Heath, Hampshire, and by descent to the Lords Bolton at Bolton Hall, Yorkshire.
Thence by descent to The Lord Bolton, sold in these Rooms, 5 December 1991, lot 250 (a set of four).
Thence by descent to The Lord Bolton, sold in these Rooms, 5 December 1991, lot 250 (a set of four).