Mahogany side chair with pierced splat and drop-in seat.
Identifier
FPF143
Title
Mahogany side chair with pierced splat and drop-in seat.
Date
1850-1870
Description
Mahogany side chair with pierced splat and drop-in seat.
Full Description
This mahogany side chair has an undulating crest rail carved with a central stylised acanthus leaf, and lobed ends. The inverted baluster pierced, gothic splat joins a ‘shoe’ fitted to the top of the rear seat-rail. The splat is flanked by flared, tapering back posts. A drop-in seat fits within tapering and square moulded seat rails, and the chair is raised on square-section and chamfered legs, joined by an H-stretcher and a higher back stretcher. The back legs are flared. The upholstery and red leather cover is late 19th or early 20th century.
This is a good quality mid- to late-19th century reproduction of a chair of the 1750s, as indicated by the flatness of the splat and the lack of crispness of the carving. The presence of plaster in the grain shows that the chair was French-polished, which was a common finish for 19th century furniture but not earlier. It was probably made as a fake and sold as an original 18th century chair, and was likely bought by Frederick Parker as such.
The chair makes an interesting comparison with 18th century originals from a time when the pattern books were beginning to be re-published. It was possibly inspired by designs in Thomas Chippendale’s The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director (1754, 1755, 1762), or Ince & Mayhew’s The Universal System of Household Furniture (1762); the closest design to this chair is plate IX in Ince & Mayhew.
This is a good quality mid- to late-19th century reproduction of a chair of the 1750s, as indicated by the flatness of the splat and the lack of crispness of the carving. The presence of plaster in the grain shows that the chair was French-polished, which was a common finish for 19th century furniture but not earlier. It was probably made as a fake and sold as an original 18th century chair, and was likely bought by Frederick Parker as such.
The chair makes an interesting comparison with 18th century originals from a time when the pattern books were beginning to be re-published. It was possibly inspired by designs in Thomas Chippendale’s The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director (1754, 1755, 1762), or Ince & Mayhew’s The Universal System of Household Furniture (1762); the closest design to this chair is plate IX in Ince & Mayhew.
Condition
The drop in seat retains its original 19th century frame.
Old repair to left hand front leg.
Old repair to left hand front leg.
Materials
Mahogany.
Upholstery.
Upholstery.
Physical Dimensions
H. 94
W. 56
D. 53
W. 56
D. 53
Parker Numbers
OM 269. See Frederick Parker Archive, Box 55, FPA050. Page 139.
Provenance
Purchased by Frederick Parker & Sons pre 1911 for £2.15.0.
Notes
Thomas Chippendale, The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director, 1754, 1755, 1762.
Ince & Mayhew, The Universal System of Household Furniture, 1762, plate IX, top left.
Ince & Mayhew, The Universal System of Household Furniture, 1762, plate IX, top left.
