Mahogany side chair with upholstered drop-in seat.
Identifier
FPF150
Title
Mahogany side chair with upholstered drop-in seat.
Date
1760-1770
Description
Mahogany side chair with pierced splat and upholstered drop-in seat.
Full Description
This mahogany side chair has a serpentine carved crest rail with rounded ends above a pierced splat with an interlaced looped ribbon motif in its lower part (similar to FPF148) and heavily carved with husk pendants and acanthus leaves. The splat is flanked by flared and tapering back posts carved with acanthus leaves. A drop-in seat with tapered sides is set into a moulded seat rail. The chair is raised on square-section and chamfered legs with pierced brackets at the front. The back legs are flared. The legs are united by H-stretchers and a higher back stretcher. The drop-in seat frame appears original, with 19th century webbing, horsehair stuffing and faded green cover.
The carving on the chair back and the pierced brackets is later and was probably added in the late 19th century; the carving is too ornate and profuse to be consistent with the date of the chair. The ‘shoe’ fitted to the top of the rear seat rail is of unusual construction.
The looped ribbon motif can be seen in Ince & Mayhew’s design for a ‘Parlour Chair’, (1762) and in Robert Manwaring’s illustrated designs (1765).
The carving on the chair back and the pierced brackets is later and was probably added in the late 19th century; the carving is too ornate and profuse to be consistent with the date of the chair. The ‘shoe’ fitted to the top of the rear seat rail is of unusual construction.
The looped ribbon motif can be seen in Ince & Mayhew’s design for a ‘Parlour Chair’, (1762) and in Robert Manwaring’s illustrated designs (1765).
Condition
Frame generally in original condition, apart from the later carving to the back.
Materials
Mahogany.
Upholstery.
Upholstery.
Physical Dimensions
H. 94
W. 56
D. 53
W. 56
D. 53
Marks
Incised ‘IIIIV’ on the inside of the back seat rail suggesting this chair was part of a larger set of dining chairs.
Incised ‘W’ on back of rear seat rail.
Incised ‘W’ on back of rear seat rail.
Parker Numbers
Plastic label on back of seat rail: ‘Pattern OM 129’.
Painted inside seat rail: ‘150/129’.
Pencil inscription on seat frame: ‘5234’.
See: Frederick Parker Archive, Box 55. FPA050. Page 138.
Painted inside seat rail: ‘150/129’.
Pencil inscription on seat frame: ‘5234’.
See: Frederick Parker Archive, Box 55. FPA050. Page 138.
Provenance
In the Collection prior to 1993.
Notes
Ince & Mayhew, The Universal System of Household Furniture, 1762, plate IX, bottom left.
Robert Manwaring, The Cabinet and Chair Maker’s Real Friend and Companion, 1765, plate 9, right and plate 37, middle.
This chair is similar to a set of three chairs with the National Trust at Dyrham Park, Gloucestershire:
Chair 453058.1 | National Trust collections
Robert Manwaring, The Cabinet and Chair Maker’s Real Friend and Companion, 1765, plate 9, right and plate 37, middle.
This chair is similar to a set of three chairs with the National Trust at Dyrham Park, Gloucestershire:
Chair 453058.1 | National Trust collections
