Carved mahogany side chair with cabriole legs.
Identifier
FPF118
Title
Carved mahogany side chair with cabriole legs.
Date
1770-1760 and c. 1860
Description
Carved mahogany side chair with pierced gothic splat and cabriole legs.
Full Description
This carved mahogany side chair has an undulating crest rail with pierced quatrefoils, foliate carving and scrolls, flanked by tapering and fluted back posts. The central splat is pierced with gothic arches in graduated tiers, and ‘C’ scrolls that join a flat ‘shoe’ fitted to the rear seat rail. The seat is tapered with a serpentine front and the rails are cut away along the bottom edges to lighten the appearance of the chair. The stuff-over upholstery is covered in a 20th century damask. The chair is raised on cabriole legs with foliate carving on the ears. The front cabriole legs terminate in scroll feet and pads; the back legs are turned, tapering and flared and have rounded feet.
This chair is an interesting study piece. The back is mid-18th century, while most of the rest is mid-19th century, including the front legs where the quality of the carving is not as good as the back. The side seat-rails are beech, indicating they could be 18th century, and the front rail is oak and probably 19th century. The chair was probably one of a set of dining chairs. Given the price paid, it was probably purchased by Frederick Parker as an authentic 18th century chair.
The pattern for the splat is possibly derived from Thomas Chippendale’s designs for ‘Backs of Chairs’ in the 3rd edition of his Director (1762). Chippendale published a number of designs for chairs with pierced splat backs; they were widely made by makers in London and across the country, often in large sets as dining or parlour chairs. Originally, they were upholstered to match curtains and other fabrics in a room, or if used for dining, either leather or horsehair was recommended, since these materials do not harbour food smells. Chippendale’s designs were often a fusion of the French rococo style with Chinese and gothic elements, now referred to as English rococo. His style was popular in Britain and colonial America, and underwent a revival in the early decades of the 20th century.
This chair is an interesting study piece. The back is mid-18th century, while most of the rest is mid-19th century, including the front legs where the quality of the carving is not as good as the back. The side seat-rails are beech, indicating they could be 18th century, and the front rail is oak and probably 19th century. The chair was probably one of a set of dining chairs. Given the price paid, it was probably purchased by Frederick Parker as an authentic 18th century chair.
The pattern for the splat is possibly derived from Thomas Chippendale’s designs for ‘Backs of Chairs’ in the 3rd edition of his Director (1762). Chippendale published a number of designs for chairs with pierced splat backs; they were widely made by makers in London and across the country, often in large sets as dining or parlour chairs. Originally, they were upholstered to match curtains and other fabrics in a room, or if used for dining, either leather or horsehair was recommended, since these materials do not harbour food smells. Chippendale’s designs were often a fusion of the French rococo style with Chinese and gothic elements, now referred to as English rococo. His style was popular in Britain and colonial America, and underwent a revival in the early decades of the 20th century.
Condition
The back has had some replacements.
The upholstery is 20th century.
The upholstery is 20th century.
Materials
Mahogany.
Beech.
Oak.
Upholstery.
Beech.
Oak.
Upholstery.
Physical Dimensions
H. 97
W. 61
D. 63
W. 61
D. 63
Parker Numbers
OM 6187. See Frederick Parker Archive, Box 55, FPA050. Page 223.
Provenance
Purchased by Frederick Parker & Sons, 19 June 1925, from Cecil Millar, with a broken back. £10.0.0.
Notes
Thomas Chippendale, The Gentleman & Cabinet-Maker’s Director, 3rd Edition (1762); Plate XIV.
A set of chairs with similar splats, c.1760, can be seen at Wallington Hall, Northumberland: Dining chair 582650 | National Trust collections
A set of chairs with similar splats, c.1760, can be seen at Wallington Hall, Northumberland: Dining chair 582650 | National Trust collections
