18th Century Painted and Gilded Armchairs

A very fine George III period Gainsborough armchair of superb quality and large scale, attributable to Wright and Elwick. English, circa 1760. Why we like it We love the imposing scale of this iconic design from the mid-18th century, superbly handcrafted and beautifully reupholstered in a luxurious Claremont silk damask. Provenance With a pre-1903 label underneath reading GEO TROLLOPE & SONS / BELGRAVE SQUARE, / LONDON, S.W.  Attribution This armchair relates to 'French Chair' designs in the George II picturesque manner illustrated in Thomas Chippendale's The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director, London, 1754. The pattern relates closely to a suite of five library armchairs from Swinton in Yorkshire and now attributed to the Yorkshire cabinet-makers, Wright and Elwick, who were known to have worked for William Danby at Swinton in around 1775, and who were both subscribers to the first edition of the Director. The suite was sold by the Earl of Swinton and the Hon. Nicholas Cunliffe-Lister, from Swinton House, Masham, Yorkshire, in Christie's house sale, 20-21 October 1975, lot 17.  Wright and Elwick Established in 1747 by Richard Wright and Edward Elwick, this prolific partnership '[had] the honour to serve most of the Nobility & Gentry in the West and North Rideing' (G. Beard and C. Gilbert, eds., Dictionary of English Furniture-Makers 1660-1840, Leeds, 1986, pp. 1006-1008). Certainly, records indicate that they received patronage from such distinguished clients as Sir Rowland Winn at Nostell Priory, the Duke of Norfolk at Worksop Manor, Viscount Irwin at Temple Newsam House, John Spencer at Cannon Hall and most notably, the Marquess of Rockingham at Wentworth Woodhouse.  A pair of virtually identical armchairs is in the collestion of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. An identical armchair was sold Christie's, London, Ronald Phillips Ltd - Making Room, 2 July 2014, Lot 69. The design also corresponds to a chair in the collection at Southill, Bedfordshire (P. Macquoid and R. Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, London, rev. ed., 1954, vol. I, p. 277, fig. 160). A pair of armchairs of this form was sold Christie’s New York, 19 October 2000, lot 100 ($182,000); a single chair of virtually identical form was sold Christie's London, 15 April 1999, lot 65; a further related pair was sold Sotheby's London, 5 July 1997, lot 58. George Trollope & Sons - Retailers The  firm, established in 1820 as 'paper hangers...

An outstanding pair of George II period hall armchairs in black walnut, of unusual 'Windsor' design.   England, circa 1740–50. Why we like them Items that are not merely quirky, but...

An extremely elegant, superb quality pair of George III period armchairs or elbow chairs. Six side chairs en-suite are available separately. English, circa 1780 Why we like them: Wo...

A charming pair of painted open armchairs dating back to the English Regency era, exquisitely hand-painted to simulate exotic timber and ornamented with neoclassical festive ribbons ...

A fine quality early 19th century Regency, George IV period open armchair, attributed to Gillows of Lancaster and London. English, circa 1825. Illustrated: British Furniture: 182...

A charming petit-point needlework picture of floral design, in its original convex moulding frame. English, late 18th century.

A pair of French XVIII Century painted armchairs. In their original condition, newly upholstered in XIX Century hand died French linen.

18th century library open armchair in the manner of Thomas Chippendale, circa 1760. The square padded back above upholstered arms on downswept sup...

A pair of Italian, 18th century parcel-gilt and pale-grey painted armchairs with a shaped back decorated with shell-carved crest, scrolling armrests on a serpentine seat on cabriole ...

A fine pair of late 18th century continental satinwood armchairs, the shaped backs having wavy splats. The chairs with well-shaped set-back arms and stuff over seats supported on tap...

Pair of painted and carved 18th century armchairs.

Exquisite 18th century original painted pine ladder back armchair comes with a custom-made blue and white linen cushion. This armchair has great patina and has untouched original pai...