CIRCA 1730

The traditional X-frame pattern was adapted by William Kent to conform to neo-Palladian precepts, such as on the pair of armchairs made for either Chiswick or Devonshire House (Adam Bowett, Early Georgian Furniture 1715-1740, Woodbridge, 2009, p. 194, pl. 4.103). Its design and carved details are nearly identical to the suite of gilt-gesso seat furniture (two sofas and six chairs) supplied as part of the refurbishment of Ham House, Surrey for Lionel Tollemache, 4th Earl of Dysart (d. 1770) from as early as 1729. While cabinet-makers George Nix and Peter Hasert supplied utilitarian pieces, an attribution cannot be confirmed for the more formal furniture although William Bradshaw was known to have supplied one of the suites at the house (P. Thornton, 'Ham House', Furniture History, 1980, p. 181 and fig. 162). A mahogany suite of a related design, although less fully carved, was commissioned by Sir William Beauchamp-Proctor, 1st Bt. for Langley Park (a pair sold by his descendent, Sir Christopher Proctor-Beauchamp, Bt., Christie’s, London, 6 July 1995, lot 101); a further suite was likely commissioned by 1st Earl of Hertford for Ragley Hall or his London home (a pair from the Collection of the late Lord Forte sold The Exceptional Sale, Christie’s, London, 5 July 2012, lots 1-2). Both houses were updated in the mid-1740s.