CIRCA 1750

Details

A PAIR OF IRISH GEORGE II MAHOGANY SIDE CHAIRS
CIRCA 1750
Each with shaped toprail centred by a shell above a vase-shaped splat carved with acanthus, the green cotton damask drop-in seat above carved cabriole legs on paw feet, one chair notched 'VIII', the other notched 'XII', the seat frames notched 'IV' and 'I'
39¾ in. (101 cm.) high; 19¼ in. (49 cm.) wide; 17½ in. (45 cm.) deep (2)

Provenance

Acquired from Gerald Kenyon.

Literature

Glin & Peill, Irish Furniture, 2007, p.107-108, figs. 139, ii-iii.

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.

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Lot Essay

Inspired by English walnut 'splat-back' prototypes, this pair of mahogany dining-chairs has the unusual Irish feature of what appear to be two toprails. There seems to be an endless supply of varying serpentine designs used by Irish cabinet-makers, particularly on the aprons of tables, showing the influence of the 'line of beauty' described in William Hogarth's The Analysis of Beauty, 1753. The chairs also have square paw feet with foliage-carved 'fetlocks' above them and a shell, both favourite decorative devices of Irish craftsmen.

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