Mahogany side chair with gothic splat, upholstered seat and cabriole legs.
Identifier
FPF120
Title
Mahogany side chair with gothic splat, upholstered seat and cabriole legs.
Date
1760-1770.
Description
A mahogany side chair in the Chippendale style, with a carved and pierced splat and top rail, cabriole front legs ending in scroll feet, and an upholstered seat.
Full Description
This mahogany side chair is a mixture of styles, partly gothic and partly rococo. The finely carved and pierced back splat has gothic pointed arches and interlaced tracery, as well as acanthus leaves and scrolls associated with rococo style. The uprights in the back are also carved with gothic arches and the front legs are edged in foliate scrolls with sprays of leaves on the knees.
The chair is probably based on the patterns published by Thomas Chippendale in The Gentleman & Cabinet-Maker’s Director in 1754 and republished in 1755 and 1762, although this is not a direct copy. It would have been made as one of a set of dining chairs which would have included a pair of slightly larger armchairs. The upholstery, which is modern and too thick on the seat, does otherwise follow Chippendale’s instructions: ‘The Seats look best when stuffed over the Rails, and have a Brass Border neatly chased; but are most commonly done with Brass Nails, in one or two Rows, and sometimes the Nails are done to imitate Fretwork. They are usually covered with the same Stuff as the Window-Curtains.’ (Chippendale, 1754, 1755 and 1762).
The chair is probably based on the patterns published by Thomas Chippendale in The Gentleman & Cabinet-Maker’s Director in 1754 and republished in 1755 and 1762, although this is not a direct copy. It would have been made as one of a set of dining chairs which would have included a pair of slightly larger armchairs. The upholstery, which is modern and too thick on the seat, does otherwise follow Chippendale’s instructions: ‘The Seats look best when stuffed over the Rails, and have a Brass Border neatly chased; but are most commonly done with Brass Nails, in one or two Rows, and sometimes the Nails are done to imitate Fretwork. They are usually covered with the same Stuff as the Window-Curtains.’ (Chippendale, 1754, 1755 and 1762).
Condition
The chair has been over-restored, stripped and re-finished; the earlier finish and patina are shown in a photograph in the Frederick Parker Archive. The insensitive restoration has led to suggestions the chair may be late-19th century, but on balance the high quality of the mahogany, the skilful carving and the overall form and proportions show this to be an authentic 18th century chair.
Restoration to the shoe at the base of the splat.
Seat rails replaced.
Original finish stripped and re-polished.
Re-upholstered in the 20th century.
Restoration to the shoe at the base of the splat.
Seat rails replaced.
Original finish stripped and re-polished.
Re-upholstered in the 20th century.
Materials
Mahogany.
Upholstery.
Upholstery.
Physical Dimensions
H. 97
W. 64
D. 58
W. 64
D. 58
Parker Numbers
1066. 2416.
Provenance
Purchased by Frederick Parker & Sons in 1910 for £18.10.0
Notes
Thomas Chippendale, The Gentleman & Cabinet-Maker’s Director, 1754, 1755 and 1762, notes to Plates IX-XV.
