A pair of giltwood torchères 18th/19th century

The present torchères are of a design which includes the whimsical elements of Thomas Chippendale`s designs of 1750s such as the galleried tops and scroll carved bases but which also shows a neo-classical influence as seen in the stem, which can be seen in  some of his drawings in the third Director published in1762. In a drawing for a stand by Chippendale illustrated in this Director,  the scroll carving on the base and the base itself closely relates to the present example, see illustration.  

Many details of the present torchères can be seen in known and documented examples of Chippendale`s work. The form of the base and hexagonal tops with pierced galleries can be seen on a pair of stands known to have been commissioned from Chippendale by James 2<sup>nd</sup>  Duke of Atholl for Blair Castle in 1758 at a cost of £7 7s. 0d. ( see; A. Oswald, ` Blair Castle II', Country Life, 18 November 1949, p.1508 and C. Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1978, vol. II, fig. 378, left). Other elements can be seen in the fret-carving on the underside of the tops which closely relates to the carving on the base of a gilt-fire screen supplied by Chippendale for Harewood House, illustrated Christopher Gilbert, op. cit. p.185. The form of the stem with its elegant tapering fluted form with a boldly carved collar and circular plinth can also be seen in the legs of various armchairs supplied to Nostell Priory, illustrated Christopher Gilbert, op. ci.t p.101 pl.169 and 169.  The scroll carving on the foot of the torchères can also be seen the base of a pier glass in Harewood House, again illus. Christopher Gilbert, op. cit. p. 149, pl.272.

The present lot is made from mahogany with much of carved detail in limewood. Traces of the original water-gilding can be seen in places. The original appearance would therefore have been parcel-gilt mahogany.

It is interesting to note that the family of two of the residents of Kinnaird House have both had connections with the Thomas Chippendale. The Kinnaird estate was purchased by 4^th Duke of Atholl in 1826. His ancestor, James, 2^nd Duke of Atholl as mentioned previously was a patron of Chippendale and commissioned torchère stands with similarities to the present lot. It is possible that the present lot was commissioned at a later date to match these earlier pieces. 

Lady Emily Percy rented the house from 1840. Her ancestor, Hugh, Earl of Northumberland (created Duke in 1766) ordered much furniture during the third quarter 18th century for his houses Alnwick or Syon and it is possible that the present lot could possibly have been part of those commissions passing by descent or commissioned at a later date to match other existing stands. 

For further comparison see Christie`s London, Important English Furniture, 7<sup>th</sup> July 1988, lot 78 for a pair of torcheres formerly in the collection of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and also a further pair of mahogany torchères sold Christie`s London, The Samuel Messer Collection, 5^th December 1991, lot 93.