A SET OF NINE VICTORIAN FIGURED-WALNUT SIDE CHAIRS

IN THE GEORGE II STYLE

Details

A SET OF NINE VICTORIAN FIGURED-WALNUT SIDE CHAIRS
In the George II style
En suite with the preceding lot, each with a solid vase-shaped splat between serpentine uprights, above a padded drop-in seat covered in red leather, on cabriole legs headed by the Astley family crest of five feathers issuing from a ducal coronet flanked by acanthus, on paw feet, some losses to the seat mouldings (9)

Provenance

Probably supplied to Jacob Astley, 17th Baron Hastings (d.1871) for Melton Constable, Norfolk to extend an existing George II set.
Thence by descent at Melton Constable with the Barons Hastings, until sold with the house in 1948 when acquired by the late owner.

Literature

For the suite (including the George II chairs):
G. and H. Harding, Catalogue of the Ornamental Furniture, Works of Art, and Porcelain, at Melton Constable Hall, Norfolk, London, 1901 (privately printed), p. 8.
C. Hussey, 'Needlework Furniture at Melton Constable', Country Life, 6 October 1928, p. 480, fig. 6.

Lot Essay

These chairs were copies of a set of George II chairs that were supplied to either Sir Philip Astley, 2nd Bt. (d.1739) or Sir Jacob Astley, 3rd Bt. (d.1760) for Melton Constable, Norfolk. These Victorian copies were probably supplied to Jacob Astley, 17th Lord Hastings (d.1871) to extend the existing set, and are mentioned in both the 1860 inventory of Melton Constable and the 1901 inventory. A pair of the George II armchairs from the original set are lot 30 in this sale.

More from Important English Furniture

View All