.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
The chair is nearly identical to the giltwood suite supplied by Benjamin Goodison (d. 1767) for Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester at Holkham Hall, Norfolk (see A. Coleridge, Chippendale Furniture, 1968, pl. 380). The accounts at Holkham record Goodison's involvement from 1739-1759. Another cabinet-maker, James Miller, possibly from London, supplied additional chairs of the same model for the State Bedroom at Holkham as late as 1760. These were covered in Genoa velvet supplied by Goodison (see R. Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, rev. edn., 1954, vol. I, p. 269, fig. 135).
Benjamin Goodison succeeded his master, James Moore, as Royal cabinet-maker and as such would have been familiar with the designs of the Rome-trained artist/architect William Kent who served as Surveyor to George II's Board of Works. Kent also supplied architectural designs for Holkham, introducing the possibility of a collaboration in the design of the furniture. Aside from his work for the Royal household, Goodison's other significant patrons included Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough for several homes and Sir Jacob de Bouverie (created 1st Viscount Folkestone in 1747) at Longford Castle.
Benjamin Goodison succeeded his master, James Moore, as Royal cabinet-maker and as such would have been familiar with the designs of the Rome-trained artist/architect William Kent who served as Surveyor to George II's Board of Works. Kent also supplied architectural designs for Holkham, introducing the possibility of a collaboration in the design of the furniture. Aside from his work for the Royal household, Goodison's other significant patrons included Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough for several homes and Sir Jacob de Bouverie (created 1st Viscount Folkestone in 1747) at Longford Castle.