拍品专文
The suite compares in its profile and decoration, particularly to the arms, to the set of six armchairs supplied by John Linnell for the 3rd Duke of Argyll at Inveraray Castle, Scotland which was refurbished upon his accession in 1770 (H. Hayward and P. Kirkham, William and John Linnell, London, 1980, vol. II, p. 46, fig. 90). The 5th Duke's bank records include payments to John Linnell from 1774 and these may be the 'golden chairs' admired by a visitor in 1777. They further compare to sets of chairs attributed to Linnell at Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire at which Linnell enjoyed a longlasting patronage. One set with similarly gadrooned shaped feet is shown in situ in the Drawing Room at Kedleston (C. Hussey, English Country Houses, Mid-Georgian, London, 1956, p. 76, fig. 139). The unusual design of the legs on the present chairs appears to be unique.
DAVID STYLE, ESQ.
The suite was owned by the inveterate collector, dealer and designer David Style. In 1945, he purchased his family's former home, Wateringbury Place near Maidstone, creating interiors that John Harris described in a most vivid way: 'a kaleidoscopic effect of colour and objects, warm and rich, quirky, full of amusement and flashes of inspirational juxtapositions and always agreeable, comfortable and eminently liveable'. By 1963, Style took over the shop of Arthur H. Brown in Chelsea which similarly became 'a mecca for those who shared and appreciated David's infectious and rather quirky taste' (Anthony Coleridge). Christie's held the landmark sale at Wateringbury Place in 1978. The suite may have formed part of the furnishings of one of his other houses, Yotes Court or Hampton Court, on the Isle of Man, both of which were owned by the time of the 1958 Christie's sale. Style's enthusiasm never waned and he later purchased another house in Castletown on the Isle of Man. Christie's was honored to sell the contents of these last two houses as well as his London home this past January following his death.
The giltwood suite was offered by David Style in Christie's salesroom in 1958. Thereafter, the suite became dispersed but has since been reunited by the present owner (with the exception of a further pair of chairs).
DAVID STYLE, ESQ.
The suite was owned by the inveterate collector, dealer and designer David Style. In 1945, he purchased his family's former home, Wateringbury Place near Maidstone, creating interiors that John Harris described in a most vivid way: 'a kaleidoscopic effect of colour and objects, warm and rich, quirky, full of amusement and flashes of inspirational juxtapositions and always agreeable, comfortable and eminently liveable'. By 1963, Style took over the shop of Arthur H. Brown in Chelsea which similarly became 'a mecca for those who shared and appreciated David's infectious and rather quirky taste' (Anthony Coleridge). Christie's held the landmark sale at Wateringbury Place in 1978. The suite may have formed part of the furnishings of one of his other houses, Yotes Court or Hampton Court, on the Isle of Man, both of which were owned by the time of the 1958 Christie's sale. Style's enthusiasm never waned and he later purchased another house in Castletown on the Isle of Man. Christie's was honored to sell the contents of these last two houses as well as his London home this past January following his death.
The giltwood suite was offered by David Style in Christie's salesroom in 1958. Thereafter, the suite became dispersed but has since been reunited by the present owner (with the exception of a further pair of chairs).