Although the trellis-back is simplified these chairs correspond in outline to the 'Garforth' pattern that appears in Gillows Pattern Books no.735/1 for the 1790's. A pair of chairs of a very similar model that Gillows supplied to William Senhouse of Netherhall, Cumbria, were sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 26 June 1986, lot 30. William Senhouse is recorded as one of the Gillow clients who had furniture despatched to the West Indies. As Surveyor-General of Barbados he received a shipment in 1772 (see: K.E.Ingram, 'Furniture and the Plantation', Furniture History, 1992, p.73.)
The design is very much in the French manner and is very close to the Directoire designs of Jacob-Desmalter, particularly the pierced trellis-pattern back (see: M.Jarry, Le siège Français, Fribourg, 1973, p.170, fig.269) and the outcurved arms with their baluster supports (ibid., p.263, fig.257)