CIRCA 1770, IN THE MANNER OF INCE & MAYHEW

Whilst it is generally difficult to conclusively identify items of furniture from the 18th century inventory of the contents of Ombersley due to the brevity of the descriptions, in the case of these chairs it is possible to identify them with certainty because of their distinctive red and white decoration, which they retain today. They were recorded in 'The Drawing Room', which later became known as the 'Rose Boudoir' where the chairs remained until the house was sold in 2017. The fact that they have been so little moved throughout their existence, being almost certainly commissioned for that very room when the Edwin, 2nd Baron Sandys acceded in 1770, means that these chairs have survived, not only with their original painted and varnished decoration but are generally in exceptional unrestored original condition. Whilst a conclusive attribution has not been possible, they do bear comparison with the output of the renowned cabinet makers Ince & Mayhew (see, H. Roberts and C. Cator, Industry and Ingenuity: The Partnership of William Ince and John Mayhew, London, 2022, armchairs pl. 308, p. 358 and pl. 328, p. 365 and stool, pl. 348, p. 371).