Mahogany armchair with carved interlace back and upholstered seat.
Identifier
FPF277
Title
Mahogany armchair with carved interlace back and upholstered seat.
Date
1790-1810.
Description
Mahogany armchair with carved and pierced interlace rail in the back, upholstered seat and turned and reeded front legs.
Full Description
The chair has a scrolled back with a turned and reeded top rail, above a rectangular veneered panel framed with banding, a horizontal strip of pierced moulded ogee interlace and a lower rail of carved leaf tips. The moulded down-swept arms are supported on turned balusters. The slender tapered front legs have a turning at the top, above reeds and turned ‘toupie’ feet (toupie is French for a spinning top).
The light design of the chair is typical of the taste at the end of the century, made popular by Thomas Sheraton’s design books, amongst others. It seems almost too slender for use as a dining chair and was perhaps more suitable for a study or library. Comparable painted and gilded chairs, with upholstery covers to suit the curtains and other textiles, were generally used in drawing rooms or bedrooms. This chair has been re-covered in the 20th century with horsehair fabric and close-nailed, very much in the way it was probably done originally.
The framed panel in the back, which was quite a common feature at this period, would generally have displayed a well-figured veneer, or a painted scene or decoration.
The light design of the chair is typical of the taste at the end of the century, made popular by Thomas Sheraton’s design books, amongst others. It seems almost too slender for use as a dining chair and was perhaps more suitable for a study or library. Comparable painted and gilded chairs, with upholstery covers to suit the curtains and other textiles, were generally used in drawing rooms or bedrooms. This chair has been re-covered in the 20th century with horsehair fabric and close-nailed, very much in the way it was probably done originally.
The framed panel in the back, which was quite a common feature at this period, would generally have displayed a well-figured veneer, or a painted scene or decoration.
Condition
Old cracks and damage to the top rail.
Veneer loss to the rectangular panel, which is fixed at bottom with wire, and its surface varnish has decomposed.
The left arm support is damaged at the joint with the seat rail.
Veneer loss to the rectangular panel, which is fixed at bottom with wire, and its surface varnish has decomposed.
The left arm support is damaged at the joint with the seat rail.
Materials
Mahogany.
Upholstery.
Upholstery.
Physical Dimensions
H. 84
W. 54
D. 54
W. 54
D. 54
Parker Numbers
6230
Provenance
Purchased by Frederick Parker & Sons in December 1929 from Heals for £5.8.0
Notes
Thomas Sheraton, The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer’s Drawing Book, 1793, 1794 and 1802.
