A PAIR OF GEORGE II NEEDLEWORK-COVERED MAHOGANY SIDE CHAIRS
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A PAIR OF GEORGE II NEEDLEWORK-COVERED MAHOGANY SIDE CHAIRS

Details
A PAIR OF GEORGE II NEEDLEWORK-COVERED MAHOGANY SIDE CHAIRS
Each with rectangular back and seat covered in associated 18th century gros point floral-patterned needlework, above a waved frieze carved with rockwork and C-scrolls, on cabochon-headed cabriole legs and inscrolled feet, restorations to the needlework, previously with castors (2)
Provenance
Anonymous sale, Christie's New York, 21 October 1999, lot 127 ($68,500).
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Lot Essay

The carved seat-rail pattern on these chairs, with elongated scrolls centered by a cabochon formed of four confronting C-scrolls, appears to be a unique interpretation of a 'French' patterned chair as it appears in Thomas Chippendale's influential Director published in three editions from 1754 to 1763, plates XX-XXIII. It is likely that these chairs were executed by a cabinet-maker working outside of London, perhaps in Northern England or Ireland, emulating contemporary fashion in London.

A closely related library armchair was advertised by Hotspur Ltd. in the 1965 Antique Dealer's Fair exhibition catalogue. A set of four chairs of a similar design, one bearing the pencil inscription '..Shrewsbury', was sold by the collector H.J. Joel, Esq., Childwick Bury, Hertfordshire, Christie's London, 15 May 1978, lot 67. The whorled feet wrapped by Roman acanthus also feature on a metamorphic architect's table that was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 3 July 1997, lot 6.

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