The Warwick Castle Queen Anne Room Settee, A fine carved gilt-wood and gesso settee 18th century

with five pierced tapered square legs with acanthus carved capitals and husks on a hatched ground: frame composed of beechwood and mahogany; preserved with the settee are the original cerise velvet upholstery covers with later inset fabric blue and gold brocade or claret damask panels, some sections of the velvet edged with an elaborate knotted interlocking gold silk thread braid with polychrome tassels

By repute, commissioned by Queen Anne

Given by George III to Francis Greville, 1st Earl of Warwick and Earl Brooke of Warwick Castle (1719-1773)

Thence by descent, until sold in the 20th century

INVENTORIES AND REFERENCES:

1807: Hopton MSS (Leamington Library)

1809 inventory of Warwick Castle: in the State Bedroom, '2 Large Settees to match the bed'

They appear in all subsequent inventories (1853, 1907 and 1928) at the same location

 

William Field, An historical ....Account of the town and castle of Warwick; and of the neighbouring Spa of Leamington, etc., 1815, pp. 192-3.

Charles William Spicer, History of Warwick Castle, 1844, pp.31-2, illus.

Peter Thornton, 'The Royal State Bed,' The Connoisseur, 175, May-August 1977, p.139

This is an academic piece with very good provenance. The fabric coverings are now in sections and have been removed. This piece will require conservation and restoration and this will include new upholstery and the fabric fragments re-attached as well as some suitable new sections of fabric. The carved gilt-wood legs are finely executed but will require re-gilding as some of the paint is flaking. There are some replacement strengthening batons to the settee carcass and it is wobbly - the legs are loose. This is a very atmospheric lot that will require attention. SALEROOM NOTICE - Please note that the remaining upholstery covers can be viewed on request.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Hopton's history and guide to Warwick Castle published in 1807, records that the present sofa and its companion - still in the collection at Warwick Castle along with the state bed, six stools and a pair of armchairs were '...given by the present King to the late Earl of Warwick. It belongs to Queen Anne' (op. cit). In 1815, this illustrated history was used by William Field in his account of the history of Warwick and surrounding towns, written for 'the information of Strangers' (Field, op. cit.). He provides a description of the State Bed Room, much as it survives today:

The bed and furniture of this room are of crimson velvet, embroidered with green and yellow silk. They belonged to Queen Anne: and were given, by the present King, to the late Earl of Warwick. The room is hung with tapestry, which appears by the date of it, to have been made at Brussels, 1604. It is supposed to represent the Garden of Versailles, as they were at the time. - The Chimney-piece, executed by WESTMACOTT, is remarkably handsome. It is formed of verd antique and white marble. (op. cit., pp.192-3)

The 'late Earl of Warwick' mentioned by Hopton and Field was Francis Greville, who, at the age of twelve, became the 8th Lord Brooke in 1727. When he was fifteen, he embarked on the Grand Tour lasting five years, instilling in him an appreciation of the arts and a desire to collect. In 1742, he married Elizabeth Hamilton, whose brother, Sir William, is remembered as one of the great cognoscenti of his age.  Lord Brooke's elevation to the Earldom of Warwick in 1759 was commemorated by internal alterations to the Castle with the addition of  a new dining room by Lightoler. Furniture - including the present sofa - silver and silver-gilt, and paintings were added to the Earl's collection.

Henry Greville, 3rd Earl of Warwick (1816-1853) augmented this suite of seat furniture with a pair of tables, similarly commissioned by Queen Anne. These were presumably received by the 3rd Earl as a royal gift from George IV, when Gentleman of the Bedchamber (sold in these Rooms, 10th July 1998, Lot: 116).

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