Painted beech side chair with upholstered seat.
Identifier
FPF296
Title
Painted beech side chair with upholstered seat.
Date
1790-1800
Description
Painted beech side chair with upholstered seat.
Full Description
This painted side chair has an arched concave crest rail above three shaped and carved splats painted to resemble columns with foliate and husk decoration; they are joined by a shaped, carved and painted rail to simulate swags of drapery. The back posts are continuous with the square-section and flared back legs. The front legs are turned and tapering. The oval stuff-over seat has been re-upholstered in the 20th century and has a floral chintz cover; the upholstery is too deep, giving the chair a rather heavy appearance.
The closest designs for this chair found to date are in Hepplewhite’s The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer’s Guide (1794), plates 8 and 6. In this period, Hepplewhite advised: ‘For chairs, a new and very elegant fashion has arisen within these years, of finishing them with painted or japanned work, which gives a rich and splendid appearance to the minuter parts of the ornaments, which are generally thrown in by the painter. Several of these designs are particularly adapted to this style, which allows a frame-work less massy [sic] than is requisite for mahogany; and by afforting [sic., i.e. assorting] the prevailing colour to the furniture and light of the room, affords opportunity, by the variety of grounds which may be introduced, to make the whole accord in harmony, with a pleasing and striking effect to the eye’. Another closely related design by Gillow is illustrated in Gillow Furniture Designs (Boynton, 1998).
The closest designs for this chair found to date are in Hepplewhite’s The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer’s Guide (1794), plates 8 and 6. In this period, Hepplewhite advised: ‘For chairs, a new and very elegant fashion has arisen within these years, of finishing them with painted or japanned work, which gives a rich and splendid appearance to the minuter parts of the ornaments, which are generally thrown in by the painter. Several of these designs are particularly adapted to this style, which allows a frame-work less massy [sic] than is requisite for mahogany; and by afforting [sic., i.e. assorting] the prevailing colour to the furniture and light of the room, affords opportunity, by the variety of grounds which may be introduced, to make the whole accord in harmony, with a pleasing and striking effect to the eye’. Another closely related design by Gillow is illustrated in Gillow Furniture Designs (Boynton, 1998).
Condition
Apart from the unsuitable re-upholstery, the chair is in good original condition.
The painted decoration in ivory, green and black is original, although in poor condition.
The joint between the front left leg and the seat rail is loose.
The painted decoration in ivory, green and black is original, although in poor condition.
The joint between the front left leg and the seat rail is loose.
Materials
Beech.
Upholstery.
Upholstery.
Physical Dimensions
H. 84
W. 53
D. 56
W. 53
D. 56
Parker Numbers
OM 6208. See Frederick parker Archive, Box 55, Ms. FPA050, page 213.
Provenance
In stock with Frederick Parker & Sons in July 1929.
Notes
A Hepplewhite & Co., The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer’s Guide, 1794, plates 8, 6 and p. 2.
L. Boynton, Gillow Furniture Designs: 1760-1800, Royston, 1995, fig. 282.
L. Boynton, Gillow Furniture Designs: 1760-1800, Royston, 1995, fig. 282.
