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Lot Essay
Designed in the George IV 'Old English' style, this pattern of library chair derives from a George II chair at Boyton House, Wiltshire (P. Macquoid and R. Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, 1927, vol. I, p. 237, fig. 91). It was revived in the early part of the 19th century, listed in the Gillows' Estimate Sketch Book of 1827 (see Gillow Archives, Westminster City Archives, E.S. 3603) and executed in a variety of woods including mahogany, walnut, yew and elm.
Chairs of this pattern were keenly sought by connoisseurs of English furniture, including a pair in yew and elm, formerly in the celebrated collection of Percival D. Griffiths (d. 1938), and subsequently owned by Frederick Poke (d. 1974). This pair was later sold from the collection of Benjamin F. Edwards III, Christie's New York, 26 January 2010, lot 230 ($30,000 including premium).
Another pair, formerly in the collection of Claude Berkeley, 4th Viscount Portman (1864 - 1929), was sold Christie's London, 27 May 2010, lot 55 (£21,250 including premium).
The pattern clearly endured, for a set of four attributed to Waring & Gillow, circa 1900, was sold anonymously Christie's, London, 13 May 2008 (£6,875 including premium), and another set of four made by Frederick Parker & Sons in the 20th century was sold Christie's, London, 11 February 1999, lot 46 (£5,750 including premium).
Chairs of this pattern were keenly sought by connoisseurs of English furniture, including a pair in yew and elm, formerly in the celebrated collection of Percival D. Griffiths (d. 1938), and subsequently owned by Frederick Poke (d. 1974). This pair was later sold from the collection of Benjamin F. Edwards III, Christie's New York, 26 January 2010, lot 230 ($30,000 including premium).
Another pair, formerly in the collection of Claude Berkeley, 4th Viscount Portman (1864 - 1929), was sold Christie's London, 27 May 2010, lot 55 (£21,250 including premium).
The pattern clearly endured, for a set of four attributed to Waring & Gillow, circa 1900, was sold anonymously Christie's, London, 13 May 2008 (£6,875 including premium), and another set of four made by Frederick Parker & Sons in the 20th century was sold Christie's, London, 11 February 1999, lot 46 (£5,750 including premium).