Lot Essay
The seat has palm-flowered volutes like an inverted Roman Ionic capital, and with its scrolled pilasters terminating in Bacchic lion paws, relates in part to a pattern for a Grecian Squab sofa in Thomas Sheraton's, Cabinet Dictionary, 1803 (pl.49) and to a footstool pattern in George Smith's Collection of Designs for Household Furniture and Interior Decoration, 1808. It is further embellished in the French manner with black Apollonian sunflowered bas-reliefs and banding that are intended to resemble antique bronze. A seat of related form, inscribed 'Ferguson & Christie' was sold anonymously Christie's, London, 7 June 2007, lot 111.