CIRCA 1800

Details

A PAIR OF GEORGE III WHITE-PAINTED SOFAS
CIRCA 1800
Each upholstered á chassis, with rectangular padded back and seat covered in yellow foliate watered silk, in a reeeded frame, on flared reeded columns and a fluted seatrail, on ring-turned reeded tapering legs and brass caps and castors, stamped 'HM', later decorated with traces of earlier painted decoration and original gilding
35 in. (89 cm.) high; 77 in. (195.5 cm.) wide; 23½ in. (59.5 cm.) depth of seat, 28¼ in. (72 cm.) deep overall (2)

Provenance

Probably supplied to George Byng, Esq., M.P. (d. 1847) and by descent.

Literature

T. Knox, 'Wrotham Park, Hertfordshire - II', Country Life, 21 February 2003, p. 54-55, fig. 4.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The renowned collector and M.P. George Byng (1764-1847) inherited Wrotham Park, Hertfordshire on his father's death in 1789. It is possible that this pair of sofas and the following lot, the set of five chairs en suite were supplied before he set about major improvements at Wrotham circa 1810. His collection was also housed at his London house in St. James's Square. Besides leading a long career as Whig M.P. for Middlesex for fifty-six years, eventually becoming Father of the House of Commons, he was a wealthy man and an avaricious collector with a highly-developed and advanced eye. The 1847 inventories, taken after his death, record an astonishing consistency in his collection for objets d'art, Boulle or 'buhl', Sèvres porcelain-mounted furniture as well as Old Masters. For further detailed information on George Byng and the collections at Wrotham Park, please see Christie's catalogue 'Two Regency Collectors: Philip John Miles and George Byng 1815-45', Christie's, London, 9 June 2005.

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