Carved mahogany side chair with pierced splat and cabriole legs.

FPF106

Carved mahogany side chair with pierced splat and cabriole legs.

1920-1930 with splat c. 1740

Carved mahogany side chair with pierced splat and cabriole legs.

This mahogany chair has a tapering back with moulded back posts carved with acanthus scrolls. They are joined by an undulating crest rail above a finely carved and pierced splat with a central cartouche flanked by C scrolls; below this is a carved tassel and rocaille (rock-work) swag, on either side of which are acanthus broken S scrolls. The lower part of the splat has a cross-bar with a trefoil at each end, and terminates in a ‘shoe’ on the rear seat rail. The drop-in seat is covered in late 20th century red velveteen. There is a plain moulded seat rail above front cabriole legs with acanthus carving on the ears and knees. The legs end in claw and ball feet, while the back legs are flared on squared feet.

The top section of the splat is the only part of this chair which is 18th century. The rest was made by Frederick Parker & Sons between 1922 and 1929, probably copied from other chairs or from photographs or pattern books. The chair became the prototype for the manufacture of reproduction chairs of this design. The splat is possibly Irish; an Irish mahogany side chair with a similar back was offered for sale by Sotheby’s, London, 14 June 2005.

The top part of the splat is 18th century, the rest of the chair is 20th century.
The joint between the right hand back upright and the top rail has broken apart.

Mahogany.
Upholstery.

H. 94
W. 58
D. 53.

OM 6182. See Frederick Parker Archive, Box 55, FPA050. Page 206.

The chair was made by Frederick Parker & Sons after 1922. Its stock value in 1929 was £7.15s.