SECOND QUARTER 18TH CENTURY

The design for this chair relates to English eighteenth century models. The present chair incorporates unusual features such as the waived seat rails and the central vase-shaped splat. The latter feature is uncommon in corner armchair designs - usually a column upright or spindle support was employed at the centre of the back rail, especially if the rail was curved. The curved splat of this chair thus reveals an ambitious design, particularly as it is finely carved in padouk, a difficult hardwood to carve successfully. The unusual choice of wood and design features of this chair thus make this chair a sophisticated product of the Chinese-export market.
A mahogany corner armchair with similar curved back, cabriole legs and cross-stretchers, sold anonymously, Christie's, South Kensington, 11 June 2003, lot 186.