Lot Essay
The form of these dining chairs closely relates to a design (reproduced here) by the London and Lancaster firm of Gillows. A pattern dating to around 1785-90 for a 'New Catherine wheel' chair is in the Estimate Sketch Book now held in the Westminster City archives and reproduced in L. Boynton, Gillow Furniture Designs, 1760-1800, Royston, 1995, fig. 269. The same pattern of medallion back featured on a set of japanned chairs with cabriole legs exhibited by Cook of Wigmore Street, London at the Antique Dealers' Fair, Grosvenor House, 1958.