Items Similar to Fine Pair 18th Century Carved Mahogany Library Armchairs Robert Manwaring
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 15
Fine Pair 18th Century Carved Mahogany Library Armchairs Robert Manwaring
About the Item
A fine pair of mid-eighteenth century carved mahogany library armchairs in the manner of Robert Manwaring, ca 1760.
Crisply carved, of superb colour and patination throughout. Now covered in blue velvet and close nailed. 'Chinese’ pierced trellis back. Very good movement through the arm. And well carved with foliate detail. Incidentally we have never had a pair of these during the last 66 years.
An almost identical chair is illustrated by Ralph Edwards C.B.E., F.S.A. in his seminal and comprehensive 'Shorter Dictionary of English Furniture from the Middle Ages to the Late Georgian Period’ (1969) p. 150, ill. 128: ''Mahogany chair, one of a set; back filled with 'Chinese Railings' c 1760.'' (The late Lt-Col. S. Goldschmidt).
Robert Manwaring was a contemporary and imitator of Thomas Chippendale, and not the least considerable of his rivals. He prided himself upon work which he described as “genteel"; his speciality was chairs. He was in business in the mid- to late-18th century at The Haymarket in London, 1760-1765.
During a portion of his career, Manwaring was a devotee of the Chinese taste; he likewise practised in the Gothic manner.
Manwaring described certain products of his own work as "elegant and superb", and as possessing "grandeur and magnificence". He did not confine himself to furniture but produced many designs for rustic gates and railings; often very extravagant.
Literature:
Amongst Manwaring's writings were 'The Carpenters' Compleat Guide to Gothic Railing' (1765); and 'Chair-makers' Guide' (1766).
Viz ''Chinese Chairs'' in 'The cabinet and Chair-Maker's Real Friend and Companion, or, the Whole System of Chair-making Made plain and easy', plate 10 [sic] London.
See Beard and Gilbert, 'The Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840', 1986, p. 573.
We know about a suite of furniture of at least eight armchairs from Treworgey Manor, near Liskeard, Cornwall.
Furthermore four chairs in the collection of the Leeds City Art Galleries at Temple Newsam House, which have been extensively published, including a full history of the suite in Christopher Gilbert, 'Furniture at Temple Newsam House and Lotherton Hall', 1978, vol. I, p. 84, no. 69. A chair from Temple Newsam was exhibited at The British Antique Dealers' Association Golden Jubilee Exhibition, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, May 1968, no. 44, pl. 105 in the catalogue.
Another pair was sold in Sotheby's New York, April 16, 1998, lot 804 ($90,000).
See an armchair in Macquoid and Edwards, 'The Dictionary of English Furniture', vol. I (1927) p. 285, fig. 126, and sold, Parke-Bernet Galleries, The Walter P. Chrysler Jr Collection of English Furniture, May 6-7, 1960, part II, lot 371.
Further references:
Robert Manwaring - Wikipedia.
- Similar to:Robert Manwaring (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 38.98 in (99 cm)Width: 25.2 in (64 cm)Depth: 22.45 in (57 cm)Seat Height: 18.51 in (47 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1760-1769
- Date of Manufacture:ca 1760
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. Crisply carved, of superb colour and patination throughout. Some minor historic repairs entirely commensurate with age. Now covered in fine blue velvet and close nailed.
- Seller Location:Lymington, GB
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 1957
1stDibs seller since 2018
33 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 8 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Lymington, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- 18th Century Carved Mahogany Library Bergère ArmchairLocated in Lymington, GBAn English 18th century carved mahogany library armchair, or bergère. Of good rich color and patination. George III, circa 1780. This antique Sheraton period armchair, sometimes described as a bergère (bergere) chair, is raised on reeded square tapering legs which merge, headed by a carved rosette panel...Category
Antique 1780s English Bergere Chairs
MaterialsMahogany
- 18th Century Chinese Chippendale Mahogany Gainsborough Library ArmchairLocated in Lymington, GBA good Chippendale-period mahogany Gainsborough library armchair, circa 1760. This is a lovely example of an early-George III Gainsborough armchair in the sophisticated Chinese taste of the period. With well-executed blind-fret carving to the square legs and arm supports. Note the unusual treatment of the gently-outswept padded arms. Furthermore there is subtle shaping to the top of the back. The 'H' stretcher with pierced Gothick (or 'Gothic') carving. Professionally upholstered to a high standard and overstuffed in a neutral soft velvet, with float buttons and close nailed. Raised on old brass castors. Lovely, rich, old colour and patina. In excellent condition with a sturdy frame throughout. These Georgian library armchairs are sometimes also known as Martha Washington chairs...Category
Antique Mid-18th Century George III Armchairs
MaterialsMahogany
- Rare 18th Century Mahogany Cockpen ArmchairLocated in Lymington, GBA rare 18th-century mahogany Cockpen open armchair of very good quality. George III period, ca 1760. This antique armchair is in mahogany with a chinoiserie open-fretwork (or Chines...Category
Antique Mid-18th Century George III Armchairs
MaterialsMahogany
- Rare 18th Century Mahogany Cockpen ArmchairLocated in Lymington, GBAn 18th-century mahogany Cockpen armchair. George III period, ca 1762. Rare and sophisticated, this antique Cockpen armchair retains its chinoiserie ...Category
Antique 18th Century George III Armchairs
MaterialsMahogany
- Exceptional Pair George II Carved Walnut Library ArmchairsLocated in Lymington, GBAn exceptional pair of English George II-period carved walnut library armchairs. Raised on very well-carved cabriole legs with stylised ball-and-claw feet, each chair with rectangul...Category
Antique Mid-18th Century English George II Armchairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Fine 18th Century George III Carved Giltwood MirrorLocated in Lymington, GBA fine English George III period carved and gilt gesso mirror, ca 1765. This exceptional Georgian giltwood mirror is surmounted by a displayi...Category
Antique 18th Century English George III Wall Mirrors
MaterialsGiltwood
You May Also Like
- Pair of 18th Century Chippendale Mahogany Library ArmchairsLocated in London, GBAn important pair of mid-18th century Chippendale period mahogany Library Armchairs, having unusual carved and scrolled cartouche-shaped backs, with scroll moulded set-back arms. The Chairs having stuffover seats with gadrooned borders, supported on blind fret carved cabriole legs with scrolled toes. For similar examples see Chippendale's Director, 'French Chairs' Plate XXI Further information: Similar examples of our Library Armchairs can be found in the third edition of Thomas Chippendale book Gentleman and Cabinet Maker’s Director (1762). The pair resembles the right chair design in Plate XXI, catalogued by Chippendale as “French Chairs”. He described in his book that this model “may be executed to advantage, some of them are intended to be open below at the back: which makes them very light without having a bad effect.’ His design illustrates his familiarity with the fashionable French Rococo style represented by the curvilinear form of the chair and scrolled feet. The carved surface decoration on our Chairs is much less elaborate than that on the published design and is more reminiscent of the work of Robert Manwaring...Category
Antique Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Armchairs
MaterialsMahogany
- 18th Century Library ArmchairLocated in Dublin 8, IE18th century library open armchair in the manner of Thomas Chippendale, circa 1760. The square padded back above upholstered arms on downswept sup...Category
Antique 1760s Irish George III Armchairs
- Fine 18th Century Georgian Mahogany ArmchairLocated in Charleston, SCFine 18th century Georgian mahogany armchair with original slip seat. Nice, comfortable proportions with elegant back splat and ears. Slip ...Category
Antique 18th Century English Armchairs
MaterialsMahogany
- George III Period 18th Century Mahogany Library ArmchairLocated in London, GBA mid-18th century George III period mahogany armchair having “saddled” top rail and shaped, pierced splats with set-back arms with scrolled decoration above leather stuff-over seat ...Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Armchairs
MaterialsMahogany
- 18th Century Mahogany Chippendale Library ChairBy Thomas ChippendaleLocated in Lincoln, GBThis Chippendale Library Chair is adorned with a breathtaking display of vibrant colours, delicate flowers, luscious fruits, and majestic gam...Category
Antique 18th Century Armchairs
MaterialsMahogany
- George III Mahogany Hall Armchair in the Manner of Robert ManwaringLocated in London, GBThe serpentine cresting centred by a pagoda, above a pierced trellis back.Category
Antique Mid-18th Century English George III Armchairs
MaterialsMahogany
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Gothic Railings
Library Chair Gothic
Ciatti Guelfo
Cowhorn Jh 505
Cupid Corner Chair
Dental Armchair
Edward And Tove
Ej900 Cobra
Elias Svedberg On Sale
Ercol Vintage Easy Chair
Faeroer Armchair
Find My Rolex Model Number
Frank Lloyd Wrigh Barrel Chair By Cassina
French Leather Covered Bridge Chairs
French Woven Cane Arm Chairs
Grand Plie
Hendaye Chair
Hepplewhite Tub Chair