A pair of George III mahogany armchairs, circa 1770, attributed to John Linnell

Pelham Galleries, London;

Sotheby's London, 8 March 2016, lot 61.

This pair of beautifully carved armchairs attributed to John Linnell (1729-1796), son of carver and furniture maker William Linnell (1703-1763), demonstrates his superior position amongst the rising artistic talent of craftsmen in the second half of the eighteenth century. His unusual design training at St Martin’s Lane Academy, together with his large collection of workshop drawings and watercolours, now held in the Victoria & Albert Museum, provides evidence of his draughtsmanship and remains a key tool in the attribution of his designs.

The cartouche-shaped moulded backs, with pierced splats of stylised lotus and acanthus leaves, relate to the satinwood and green painted armchairs supplied en suite with bedroom furniture to the 5^th Earl of Carlisle around 1780 for Castle Howard, Yorkshire.[i] A transition towards neoclassical motifs and rhythmic clarity is clearly developing, as captured in his light pencil sketch with a similar design, held under the accession number E.74-1929. Linnell’s embrace of classicism does not compromise the charm and individuality found in his earlier designs. The defined silhouette of the present lot is softened by a touch of flamboyance in the outswept arms, related to a watercolour by him under the accession number E.82-1929, as well as in the distinctive armrest terminal, formed as ball finials wrapped in acanthus leaves.

Although this motif was not employed exclusively by Linnel, it became a signature feature of his work and proved popular amongst his patrons. Comparable commissions include a set of ten carved armchairs for Robert Child’s mansion at 38 Berkley Square, furnished between 1769 and 1776, a pair of which were offered at Christie’s London, 14 June 2001, lot 8; Child’s library chairs at Osterley Park, c. 1768; and chairs made for the Duke of Argyll at Inveraray Castle, c. 1775-78.[ii] Several chairs featuring this signature motif have also been attributed to Linnell at auction.[iii]

An armchair closely related to the present lot, with seat upholstery, is illustrated in situ in the Library at Castle Howard by Country Life in 1904.[iv] Part of this suite by Linnell remains at the estate today.

[i] Helena Hayward & Pat Kirkham, William and John Linnell, London, 1980, Vol. II, fig. 98, pp. 48-49.

[ii] Ibid, figs. 72 & 89.

[iii] Examples at auction include: Christies London, 14 June 2001, lot 80, Bonhams London, 11 March 2015, Christies London, 1 June 2020, lot 105, lot 112, Sotheby’s London, 6 December 2023, lot 45, Dreweatts London, 18 November 2025, lot 3.

[iv] ‘Coventry Homes: Castle Howard, Yorkshire, the Seat of the Earl of Carlisle,’ Country Life, 13 February 1904, p. 243, available at: <https://www.futurecontenthub.com/asset/142802/>