A pair of George III mahogany side chairs, circa 1760

with drop in caned seats

Most probably purchased by Arthur Hill-Trevor, 1^st Viscount Dungannon (of the second creation) (1694 - 1771) for Belvoir Park, Fermanagh;
Moved to Brynkinalt Hall, Denbighshire by Arthur Hill-Trevor, 2^nd Viscount Dungannon (1763 – 1837) in 1795 upon the sale of Belvoir Park;
Thence by descent.

A fine pair of chairs in good condition. There are minor restored breaks to the front right spandrel of one chair. The same chair has a loss to the bottom right of the front left leg the other chair with a loss to the front right spandrel and a repair to the back left spandrel. The drop in seats can be secured with wooden latches to the underside and have been re-caned. With old marks and scratches commensurate with age and use.
"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."

The taste for Chinese decorative arts and fashions was promoted by William Chambers' Designs of Chinese Buildings (1757) and Charles Over's Ornamental Architecture in the Gothic, Chinese and Modern Taste (1758). This was subsequently followed by designs for Chinese lattice-style chair backs with straight legs by the celebrated London cabinet-maker, Thomas Chippendale (d.1779), published in The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker's Director (1762), plates XXV and XXVII, that made such chairs fashionable. This particular form of chair known as a 'cockpen’ became popular from the second half of the 18th century. The name 'cockpen' entered the vernacular in the 19th century and seems to originate from Cockpen Church, Midlothian, where similar chairs were made for the family pew of the Earls of Dalhousie. Closely related examples can be found at Saltram, Devon (H. Avray Tipping, English Homes, period VI, vol. I, 1926, p.170, fig.256), and Badminton House, Gloucestershire (Country Life, 9 April 1987, p.131).