SECOND QUARTER 18TH CENTURY, POSSIBLY OF EASTERN INDIAN MANUFACTURE

The first record of Chinese Export chairs being imported into England occurs in 1726, when '24 Chairs of rosewood inlaid with mother of pearl' were brought in at a total value of £12. In 1727, the first record of lacquered chairs occurs and by the 1730s importations of both rosewood, padouk and lacquered chairs were comparatively commonplace. Similar chairs were acquired by Sir Francis Greville (1719-73), 8th Baron Brooke, later 1st Earl of Warwick for Warwick Castle, Warwickshire (including a pair in the Victoria and Albert Museum and another pair sold from the collection of Simon Sainsbury, Christies London, 18 June 2008, lot 185), as well as those at Beningborugh Hall, Yorkshire, discussed in A. Bowett, 'Some Chinese Influences on early Georgian Furniture', Antique Collector's Club, 2007, fig.10. A further set of twelve closely related Export lacquer chairs decorated with the monogram of King Christian IV and Queen Sophie Magdalene of Denmark were brought back from China in 1735 and have remained in Fredensborg Castle since then (J. Clemmensen, 'Some Furniture Made in China in the English Style, Exported from Canton to Denmark, 1735, 1737 and 1738', Furniture History Society Journal, 1985, p. 175, figs. 1-3). Another set of six although lacking their original seats was formerly in the collection of Mona, Countess Bismarck (the latter advertised in Pelham Galleries, Catalogue , London, 1989).

Painted and varnished furniture was also produced in north-eastern India, at least from the 1770s, inspired by lacquered Chinese objects that were imported in the 17th century during the Portuguese occupation. The main source of manufacture was Patna, where extensive suites of furniture were produced under the auspices of Mr. Knight, a coach- and cabinet-maker. A gouache of circa 1780, Lady Impey Examining a Hat, shows black and gold furniture of distinctly 'modern' style, while advertisements specify furniture 'of the newest patterns' (Amin Jaffer, Furniture from British India and Ceylon, London, p. 55, fig. 15, and pp. 267 - 8).

Four chairs, apparently from the same set, were sold from the Manolo March Collection, Christie's, London, 28 & 29 October 2009, lot 49 (£27,500 including premium).