An early George III carved giltwood hall lantern, circa 1760-65, after the design by Thomas Chippendale

The Collection of David McAlpine, Fawley House, Oxfordshire; Sotheby's house sale, 14-15 October 2003, lot 79 (£120,680).

This giltwood lantern is a rare survivor both in terms of the design but also in condition, retaining traces of the original gilding. The form of the lantern is based upon a design published by Thomas Chippendale in the third edition of his celebrated The Gentleman and Cabinet-Makers Director, of 1763, pl. CLII (and reproduced here). The rarity of an example in giltwood as opposed to brass is further underlined by Chippendale's own notes to these designs where he states 'Five Lanthorns, for Halls, Passages, or Staircases. Two of them are square; the others have six Sides, and are generally made of Brass, cast from wooden Moulds..'