CIRCA 1750 (2)

This sophisticated pair of chairs reflects the influence and evolution of the Rococo style with its curved forms and naturalistic design elements. One of the chief disseminators of this new style was the engraver, theatrical designer and art instructor William de la Cour (fl.1740s-d.1767). A French émigré, de la Cour published eight annual Books of Ornament beginning in 1741. Many of his chair designs have exaggerated scrolled backs that closely relate to the present pair. Subsequent furniture-makers such as Mayhew and Ince illustrate other related examples in their Universal System of Household Furniture of 1762. There, the designs for Parlour chairs are more delicate and sinuous as seen in Plate X (reproduced here). The design of the chairs acts as a bridge between the two, incorporating some of the delicate foliate carving and proportions of the Mayhew and Ince model with the crisper curved lines depicted in earlier drawings by de la Cour.

A related pair of armchairs with bold C-scroll backs and fluted splats was sold from the Samuel Messer Collection, Christie's, London, 5 December 1991, lot 63.