Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11

Rare Pair of Regency Period Mahogany Armchairs designed by Thomas Hope

$165,301.09per set
£120,000per set
€141,458.22per set
CA$227,313.79per set
A$252,794.95per set
CHF 132,326.50per set
MX$3,083,790.96per set
NOK 1,662,730.58per set
SEK 1,564,012.77per set
DKK 1,055,893.75per set

About the Item

A Pair of Regency Mahogany Armchairs after Thomas Hope These exceptional armchairs represent one of the most sophisticated expressions of English Regency design. Constructed in richly patinated mahogany, each chair displays the distinctive klismos form that became synonymous with Hope's revolutionary aesthetic vision. The design features a curved panelled tablet back surmounting a pierced X-shaped splat centred by a stylised carved boss. The gently curving arms equally panelled extending from the chair backs and terminating in carved recumbent winged lioness figures. The fluted and dished seat rail, housing drop-in seats, supported on panelled sabre legs that sweep outward in the characteristic Regency manner. English circa 1810 The present armchairs are close iterations of the celebrated pattern illustrated in Thomas Hope's seminal publication Household Furniture and Interior Decoration of 1807. Dimensions: H: 35.5 in / 90 cm W: 23 in / 58 cm D: 24.5 in / 61 cm Comparative Literature: Thomas Hope, Household Furniture and Interior Decoration, London, 1807, pl. 11, nos. 3 and 4; for the design. Ed. Watkin. D & Hewat-Jaboor. P., Thomas Hope Regency Designer, Italy, 2008, p. 372 & 373. The winged lionesses, couched in the manner of Egyptian sphinxes, reflect Hope's profound engagement with antique sources, specifically modelled on Rome's celebrated Capitoline Egyptian lions. Thomas Hope's revolutionary contribution to English furniture design stemmed from his extensive travels throughout the Mediterranean basin, where he developed a profound appreciation for classical antiquity that would fundamentally transform early nineteenth-century taste. Having acquired his renowned house on Duchess Street in 1799, Hope embarked upon an ambitious program of remodelling and furnishing that drew inspiration from his Grand Tours of Greece and Egypt. His 1807 publication served not merely as a pattern book but as a comprehensive guide to his own collection, documenting furniture and interiors that represented the apotheosis of archaeological accuracy combined with contemporary sophistication. The present chairs belong to a remarkably small group of surviving examples, with only four recorded versions known to exist, each displaying subtle variations in craftsmanship and detail. The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, houses one example that has tentatively been linked to Hope's own collection by virtue of its superior carving. The design's archaeological foundations reflect Hope's scholarly approach to furniture making, with the klismos form derived directly from chairs depicted on ancient Greek vases. Hope's interpretation, however, transcended mere archaeological copying to create furniture of unprecedented sophistication and comfort. The sphinx-armed configuration particularly demonstrates his engagement with Egyptian Revival themes, a fascination shared by his contemporary Napoleon's architects Charles Percier and Pierre Fontaine, whose influential Recueil de Décorations Intérieures of 1801 illustrated similar sphinx-armed seating. Contemporary documentation provides fascinating insight into these chairs' original context. An 1819 watercolor by R.W. Billings depicting Hope's Flemish Picture Gallery at Duchess Street shows a chair of this exact pattern in situ, offering a rare glimpse into the sophisticated interior arrangements that made Hope's residences legendary throughout Regency London. Both his town house and country estate at Deepdene near Dorking served as showcases for his revolutionary aesthetic vision, attracting visitors who sought to understand and emulate his approach to interior design. The influence of Hope's designs extended well beyond his immediate circle, fundamentally reshaping English furniture throughout the early nineteenth century. His friendship with the poet Samuel Rogers proved particularly significant, with documented evidence that Hope assisted with furniture designs for Rogers' residence at 22 St. James's Place in 1803, specifically creating chairs with griffin supports. This collaboration resulted in furniture that shared the archaeological sophistication of Hope's own collection while adapting his aesthetic vision to different domestic contexts. Ref. 8964
  • Creator:
    Thomas Hope (Designer)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 35.5 in (90.17 cm)Width: 23 in (58.42 cm)Depth: 24.5 in (62.23 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 2
  • Style:
    Regency (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1810
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 89641stDibs: LU954745886802

More From This Seller

View All
Pair of French Carved Mahogany Armchairs, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
An imposing pair of Louis Philippe Fauteuils Constructed in Honduras Mahogany, standing on swept lappeted gentle 'S' shaped legs to the fro...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Regency Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of 18th Century George III Period Mahogany Armchairs with Floral Upholstery
Located in London, GB
A Pair of George III Period Mahogany Armchairs Designed in the neoclassical taste promoted by architects and designers such as Robert Adam, this pair of open armchairs are carved f...
Category

Antique 18th Century English George III Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Late 19th Century George II Style English Gainsborough Chairs
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Gainsborough Library Armchairs In the George II Style Constructed in mahogany, rising from cabriole legs terminating in carved scrolled feet; with scrolled and knuckle car...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English George II Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of English Mahogany and Leather Armchairs in the Neoclassical Style
Located in London, GB
A fine pair of armchairs in the neoclassical in the manner of Robert Adam Constructed in mahogany with hand-painted gilt accents and red leather, each with oval backs enclosed wit...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Scottish Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Leather, Mahogany, Giltwood

Pair of 19th Century Georgian Period Carved Mahogany Chairs
Located in London, GB
A Pair of George IV Hall Chairs By William Latham Huxley Constructed in mahogany, having beautifully turned and reeded front legs and elegant sabre legs to the rear, the back rest of a most unusual waisted shape and adorned with carved garlands, ribbons, laurel wreaths and English roses. Each stamped "W. Huxley" to the underside. English, circa 1825 Dimensions: H: 42 in / 107 cm W: 18 in / 46 cm D: 18 in / 46 cm William Latham Huxley (fl. 1822-1845) is a recorded cabinetmaker from Liverpool, having been apprenticed there to Thomas Croft Huxley of 52 Park...
Category

Antique 19th Century English George IV Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Biedermeier Style Satin Birchwood and Ebonized Armchairs
Located in London, GB
A fine pair of Biedermeier style satin birchwood armchairs The plume shaped top rail extending to midway between the stiles, terminating in an ebonised fan shaped splat, above a s...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Birch

You May Also Like

Pair of 19th Century Regency Mahogany Armchairs
Located in London, GB
A matched pair of early 19th century Regency period mahogany armchairs, having paneled scroll over backs above leaf carved and lion's head crossrails. The armchairs having lion's paw...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Late 19th Carved Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Altrincham, GB
Pair of Late 19th Century Carved Mahogany Open Armchairs, carved with scrolls and palmettes with upholstered seats and back rests - 23"w x 26"d x 36"h (18" to the seat)
Category

Antique 1880s English Victorian Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Pair of George III Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Essex, MA
Oval upholstered back with oval carved paterae and bellflower crestrail , carved down swept arms and serpentine upholstered seat raised on stop fluted tapered square legs , spade fee...
Category

Antique 1770s English Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Other

Pair of English-Made Carved Chippendale Style Mahogany Armchairs
Located in North Salem, NY
A very fine solid mahogany Chippendale style armchair is a true testament to Classic design and craftsmanship. This pair of armchairs exudes elegance and sophistication with its exqu...
Category

Antique 18th Century English Chippendale Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Pair of 19th century Chippendale design mahogany armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of 19th century chippendale influenced mahogany armchairs circa 1890. Elegant pair of mahogany armchairs strongly influenced by chippendale design,  shaped backs with carved sc...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Chippendale Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Pair of French Restoration Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Restoration (19th Cent) mahogany roll arm Armchairs with upholstered seat and back Antique Condition
Category

Antique 19th Century French Restauration Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany, Upholstery