CIRCA 1755, VARIATIONS IN CONSTRUCTION

These chairs are part of a larger suite of which further armchairs and stools have been identified. Another pair of armchairs (with companion needlework covering) formerly in the collection of President and Mrs. Ferdinand Marcos, was later sold from a Private Collection, Sotheby's New York, 18 October 1997, lot 379 ($261,000) (illustrated in P. Broome, ed., The Hyde Park Collection 1965-1990, Hong Kong, 1989, pp.112-112). While recently a pair from a private New York collection was sold in these Rooms, 18 October 2001, lot 150 ($226,000). A pair of matching stools of this pattern once formed part of the celebrated collection of Sir John Ramsden at Bulstrode Park, Buckinghamshire. The stools were included in the sale of his effects, sold Christie's London, 23 May 1932, lot 77 and were reoffered in these Rooms, 25-26 January 2000, lot 633. It is uncertain whether Sir John inherited Bulstrode, a Portland family home, however it is interesting that Chippendale is recorded working for the 3rd Duke of Portland at Burlington House in London in 1766. As such, it is tempting to introduce the possibility that the suite may have been an original commission for the family and produced in Chippendale's workshop.