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Lot Essay
The hall chairs, with 'Apollo' sunflowered backs and hermed legs, are designed in the George III 'Roman' fashion of the 1770s. Thomas Chippendale (d. 1779) designed related chairs, bearing medallion armorials within their sunflowered backs, for Harewood House, Yorkshire and Normanton Hall, Leicestershire. Those designed around 1770 for Harewood have their medallion backs resting on similar hollow-sided 'altar' plinths; while those designed about 1775 for Normanton have solid rather than fretted medallions (C. Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1978, vol. II, figs 159 and 154).
THE HON. MRS. IONIDES
The Hon. Mrs. Ionides was the daughter of Sir Marcus Samuel, 1st Viscount Bearsted. After her first husband, Walter Levy, died in 1923, Nellie married Basil Ionides, the pioneering Art Deco designer of the Savoy Theatre, and Claridges Hotel. He was also the author of one of the earliest books on modern interior decoration: Colour & Interior Decoration, 1926.
In 1926 the couple acquired Riverside House, Twickenham, where they entertained notable politicians and members of the Royal family. Next door was James Gibbs' Orleans House which, thanks to her remarkable intercession, was saved. In 1931 they moved into the splendid 18th century Palladian mansion, Buxted Park, Sussex, which they gradually transformed in their unique style.
Both husband and wife were keen collectors: he came from a long line of patrons and benefactors, whilst she focussed her attention on amassing exceptionally fine paintings, furniture, objets d'art and Chinese porcelain. She also had a passion for animals, in particular the poodles she bred at Buxted Park, and this would occupy Mrs. Ionides for much of her life, and, as a shared interest, would also form the foundation of her lifelong friendship with Queen Mary, wife of George V. A small group of furniture and objects collected by Mrs Ionides was sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 15 September 2004, lots 160-167.
THE HON. MRS. IONIDES
The Hon. Mrs. Ionides was the daughter of Sir Marcus Samuel, 1st Viscount Bearsted. After her first husband, Walter Levy, died in 1923, Nellie married Basil Ionides, the pioneering Art Deco designer of the Savoy Theatre, and Claridges Hotel. He was also the author of one of the earliest books on modern interior decoration: Colour & Interior Decoration, 1926.
In 1926 the couple acquired Riverside House, Twickenham, where they entertained notable politicians and members of the Royal family. Next door was James Gibbs' Orleans House which, thanks to her remarkable intercession, was saved. In 1931 they moved into the splendid 18th century Palladian mansion, Buxted Park, Sussex, which they gradually transformed in their unique style.
Both husband and wife were keen collectors: he came from a long line of patrons and benefactors, whilst she focussed her attention on amassing exceptionally fine paintings, furniture, objets d'art and Chinese porcelain. She also had a passion for animals, in particular the poodles she bred at Buxted Park, and this would occupy Mrs. Ionides for much of her life, and, as a shared interest, would also form the foundation of her lifelong friendship with Queen Mary, wife of George V. A small group of furniture and objects collected by Mrs Ionides was sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 15 September 2004, lots 160-167.