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Lot Essay
Designed in the 'French' taste this elegant settee relates to a group of mid-18th century seat furniture which has in recent years been linked to several chair and cabinet-makers known as the St. Martin's Lane Syndicate. The significant members of this group were William Hallett, William Vile and John Cobb who in addition to working in the neighbouring premises shared further common interests. Both Hallett and Vile originated from Somerset, and indeed Vile had worked for Hallett, who later gave Vile financial backing when starting his own career.
The ornament of this settee with a French-fashioned frame epitomises the 'modern' style of mid-eighteenth century London. Led by the St. Martin's Lane Academy directed by the artist and author William Hogarth, whose 'Analysis of Beauty' was published in 1753, this style emphasized the importance of 'variety' and the beauty of the serpentine or 'natural' line. The trellis and flowerhead pattern to the seat rails and ornately scrolled form of this settee bears resemblance to the extraordinary suite of seat furniture from Dudley House, London, sold from The Private Collection of David H. Murdock, in these Rooms, 16 April 2002, lots 250-257.
The ornament of this settee with a French-fashioned frame epitomises the 'modern' style of mid-eighteenth century London. Led by the St. Martin's Lane Academy directed by the artist and author William Hogarth, whose 'Analysis of Beauty' was published in 1753, this style emphasized the importance of 'variety' and the beauty of the serpentine or 'natural' line. The trellis and flowerhead pattern to the seat rails and ornately scrolled form of this settee bears resemblance to the extraordinary suite of seat furniture from Dudley House, London, sold from The Private Collection of David H. Murdock, in these Rooms, 16 April 2002, lots 250-257.