A PAIR OF REGENCY SIMULATED-BAMBOO CANED BERGERES

Simulated bamboo furniture was known as 'fancy' seat furniture, to distinguish it from its mahogany or satinwood couterparts. George Smith in his Collection of Designs for Household Furniture and Interior Decoration, London, 1808, p. 16 considers it suitable for 'rooms slightly decorated'. An account of Elward Marsh and Tatham includes a set of thirty-six caned chairs of beech imitating bamboo, in the Chinese style and described as 'bamboo chairs japanned and indian bamboo tables' supplied to the Dining Room at the Royal Pavillion at Brighton, in 1802, for £71, (M. Jourdain Regency Furniture, 1795-1830, London, rev.ed. 1965, p. 47, fig. 72 and 73.)