A PAIR OF CHINESE EXPORT PADOUKWOOD SIDE CHAIRS, each with pierced cartouche-shaped back with acanthus-carved top-rail above a solid vase-shaped splat with part-gadrooned edges, the padded drop-in seat covered in gros and petit point wool and silk needlework depicting birds amidst fruiting foliage, on cabriole legs headed by lion-masks and on paw feet, repair to one front leg, mid-18th Century (2)

This pair of chairs form part of a larger suite of chairs of which the other known examples are:
(i) Two armchairs and four side chairs in the Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight (see: P.Macquoid, English Furniture, Tapestries and Needlework, The Leverhulme Art Collection, 1928, pl.39, no.138)
(ii) A pair of side chairs that were sold from the Leidesdorf Collection, Sotheby's London, 27-28 June 1974, lot 6
(iii) An armchair sold anonymously, Christie's New York, 20 April 1985, lot 158 (not from the Leverhulme collection)
A pair of English walnut chairs that conform to this design were advertised by Mallett in Country Life, 17 April 1986, Supplement, p.81.