Gainsborough Library Armchair . Mid 18th Century

A 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...

Each with an upholstered seat, shaped back, and padded open armrest. With blind fretwork on the arms, and with square legs and a pierced H-stretcher.

A CONTINENTAL MAHOGANY GAINSBOROUGH ARMCHAIR MID 18TH CENTURY AND LATER 109cm high, 73cm wide, 62cm deep

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...

18th century Gainsborough armchair in the manner of Chippendale with ribbon carved apron supported by cabriole leg adorned with C-scroll m...

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