A set of twelve Italian red and green painted parcel-gilt chairs, Florentine late 18th century / early 19th century, in the manner of George Hepplewhite

each with a pierced shield shaped back with three ears of corn, above a padded drop-in seat, the seat rail carved with lunettes, on fluted square tapering legs joined by an H- form and back stretcher; painting and gilding refreshed; reblocked

This suite bears witness to the far reaching influence of the English cabinetmaker, George Hepplewhite (d.1786), in Europe. Hepplewhite's widow, Alice, first published the Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Guide, comprising 300 plates, in 1788. It proved to be an immediate success and a second edition appeared a year later. In 1794 she published a third edition with some revised drawings. This was the version that was available across Europe and which influenced many craftsmen in various countries. Even though it seems unlikely that Hepplewhite created all the designs himself, his wife put together a wonderful compilation of what was the most popular neoclassical taste at the time.

The book enjoyed considerable popularity in Italy, especially in Tuscany.  Chair makers such as Giovacchino Paoli and Giovanni Toussaint supplied various shield back (such as in the present lot) chairs to the Grand Ducal Court in Florence circa 1795-1798, many of which are now in the Pitti Palace (see Enrico Colle, I Mobile di Palazzo Pitti: il Primo Periodo Lorenese 1737-1799, Florence, 1920, pp.182-187).