Pair of 18th Century Chippendale Mahogany Gainsborough Library Armchairs

An 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...

An imposing pair of 19th century Chippendale style mahogany armchairs having acanthus carved top rails above ribbon, tassel and acanthus splat with unusual bird carved arms fitted wi...

A very good Chippendale-period mahogany Gainsborough armchair, circa 1760. This is a lovely example of an early-George III Gainsborough library 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 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...

The Chippendale Gainsborough armchair. This handsome carved mahogany library or “Gainsborough” armchair has a gently curving back and shaped a...