Lot Essay
Designed in the early 19th Century antique or Grecian manner, the prototype for this Klismos-backed chair with patera-centred and X-shaped splat derived from a set of armchairs belonging to the connoisseur Thomas Hope (d. 1832). The latter, influenced by contemporary French fashions, were designed by Hope for his Duchess Street mansion museum around 1800 and their pattern later featured in his Household Furniture and Interior Decoration, 1807, pl. nos. 3 and 4. One of the chairs, sold by Mrs, Marjorie, Beatrix Fairbarns, Christie's London, 9 July 1992, lot 87, and now in the Fitzwilliam Museum, has been attributed to the Mount Street cabinet-makers, Messrs. William Marsh and Thomas Tatham, and it is possible that Gillow saw these while they were in execution.
The W. Yates apprenticed at Gillows circa 1803, may well be the William Yates recorded at 20 Princes Street. Manchester, 1836-40
H. Howard, possibly Henry Howard Junior of Liverpool, who flourished from 1784-1820
A Robert Anderson is recorded in the Gillow records from 1789-92. The inscription by John Webb and Robert Anderson dated July 1842 reveal that these chairs were re-upholstered by Thomas Brooke (d. 1848), shortly after inheriting the Mere estates from his brother, who died in 1840
Of this set,'seventeen mahogany armchairs with leather seats' are listed in the 1840 Inventory of the Dining Room
The W. Yates apprenticed at Gillows circa 1803, may well be the William Yates recorded at 20 Princes Street. Manchester, 1836-40
H. Howard, possibly Henry Howard Junior of Liverpool, who flourished from 1784-1820
A Robert Anderson is recorded in the Gillow records from 1789-92. The inscription by John Webb and Robert Anderson dated July 1842 reveal that these chairs were re-upholstered by Thomas Brooke (d. 1848), shortly after inheriting the Mere estates from his brother, who died in 1840
Of this set,'seventeen mahogany armchairs with leather seats' are listed in the 1840 Inventory of the Dining Room