Chair, c.1725–30

Walnut, now with late 20th- century wool damask

The knees and feet are inlaid with marquetry. The chair comes from Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire, and is one of a set of eight.

Adam Bowett Catalogue (19/08/2012)

Description

A set of eight chairs, c.1725-30. The rectangular backs and trapezoidal seats are covered in sky blue woollen damask, raised on cabriole forelegs inlaid with marquetry, with stylized hoof feet and conforming ogee back legs.

Dimensions

H: 43 ¾ “ (111cm) Seat height: 18 ½ ” (47cm) W: 24” (61cm) D: 27“ (69cm)

Materials

Walnut, beech, holly, various upholstery materials.

Dating criteria

There are several closely dated analogues for this style of legs and foot, particularly a set of chairs (c.1725) at Houghton Hall and a closely dated set (probably before 1726) made for Chicheley Hall, Bedfordshire and now at Montecute, Somerset.

Construction

Construction of the back frames is conjectural because enclosed by upholstery. The beech seat rails are tenoned into the tops of all four legs and are braced across all four corners with beech struts fixed by nails. The legs are solid walnut, inset with panels of marquetry and pieced out on the outer faces of the front knees and feet, and in a similar manner on the back legs.

Condition

Essentially sound, very strongly made. Back seat rail is probably replaced, all other rails original but with sections of new wood let into the tops of the rails to receive the webbing. Front left brace possibly original, the other three replaced. Shaped bracket replaced to the back left foot, others probably original.

Provenance

Sir Nathaniel Curzon 2^nd Bt. (1635-1719)

Christies London 5^th July 1990, lot 90

Purchased Gurr Jones February 1991