A PAIR OF REGENCY STYLE MAHOGANY ARMCHAIRS AFTER A DESIGN BY THOMAS CHIPPENDALE THE YOUNGER

Estimate

10,000 - 15,000 USD

bidding is closed

Description

height 32 1/2 in.; width 25 in.
82.6 cm; 63.5 cm

each with U-shaped top rail above spindled backrest and caned seat, the scrolled handholds on Egyptian-headed term supports continuing to casters.

Provenance

John Hobbs, London

Acquired from the above, 1996

Catalogue Note

The design of these chairs is based on a suite of eight armchairs and two single chairs commissioned by Sir Richard Colt Hoare (1758-1838) from Thomas Chippendale the Younger for the Library at Stourhead and delivered in May 1805, the Egyptian head motif supporting the arms appearing on other pieces supplied by Chippendale including the Library table which was also ornamented with the heads of philosophers. The origin of the design is almost certainly France, Chippendale the Younger having ‘visited Paris early in the nineteenth century, and filled a small sketchbook with drawings of French furniture, described as Sketches by Tho. Chippendale at various times (Jourdain, op. cit.). The influence of Jacob frères is clearly seen in the rounded seats, yoke-shaped back- rails and the use of the Egyptian heads inspired by Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign.

See:

Country Life, May 7, 1943, ‘The Younger Chippendale’, Ralph Edwards and Margaret Jourdain, pp. 840-841

Ralph Edwards and Margaret Jourdain, Georgian Cabinet-Makers, 1946

The National Trust Year Book 1975-1976, John Kenworthy-Browne, ‘Notes on the Furniture by Thomas Chippendale the Younger at Stourhead’, pp. 93-102, fig. 12