Mahogany side chair with oval anthemion back and upholstered seat.
Identifier
FPF242
Title
Mahogany side chair with oval anthemion back and upholstered seat.
Date
1780-1800.
Description
Mahogany side chair with oval back of carved anthemion form, upholstered seat and square tapered legs with block feet.
Full Description
The oval back on this mahogany side chair is wave-moulded and the centre is elegantly carved in the form of an anthemion, or honeysuckle, which fills the frame. The stuff-over seat has curved sides and a serpentine front and is raised on square, tapered and fluted front legs, each flute ending with a distinctive circle motif. The back legs are flared. The upholstery is 20th century.
The anthemion was a popular motif in the neo-classical style, inspired by Ancient Greek designs and used extensively in plasterwork, joinery and furniture in the late 18th century.
The chair was bought by Frederick Parker & Sons as one of a pair and would probably have been part of a set of dining chairs. See FPF226, an oval-backed armchair of similar design with original japanning.
An interesting comparison can be made between this chair and FPF376, a chair probably made by Parkers in the early 20th century, which is lighter, smaller and less substantial than this.
The anthemion was a popular motif in the neo-classical style, inspired by Ancient Greek designs and used extensively in plasterwork, joinery and furniture in the late 18th century.
The chair was bought by Frederick Parker & Sons as one of a pair and would probably have been part of a set of dining chairs. See FPF226, an oval-backed armchair of similar design with original japanning.
An interesting comparison can be made between this chair and FPF376, a chair probably made by Parkers in the early 20th century, which is lighter, smaller and less substantial than this.
Condition
Refinished at the back.
Seat rails all original.
20th century upholstery.
Seat rails all original.
20th century upholstery.
Materials
Mahogany.
Beech seat rails.
Upholstery.
Beech seat rails.
Upholstery.
Physical Dimensions
H. 94
W. 56
D. 58
W. 56
D. 58
Parker Numbers
4587
Provenance
Purchased by Frederick Parker & Sons as a pair from Waring & Gillow in October 1918 for £22.0.0
Notes
A very similar set of 10 (8+2) dining chairs but with drop-in seats and stretchers was sold by the Annesley family, Shimna House, Newcastle, Co. Down, see Antiques Trade Gazette, 24 March 2007.
