Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 16

Set of Four 18th Century Satinwood Painted Armchairs - Seddon, Sons & Shackleton

About the Item

A fine and very rare set of four English late-18th century satinwood painted armchairs attributed to Seddon, Sons & Shackleton, ca 1790. Nb. It is not only quite difficult to find a single period chair of this type, but extremely rare for a complete set of four to have survived some 235 years. The majority of chairs of this model will be late-19th century or Edwardian; often sold in pairs. Retaining their wonderful, almost entirely original polychrome decoration. Note The Prince of Wales' feathers, summer flowers and musical trophies. These George III-period chairs are all in superb condition throughout, firm in the joints. Some have been re-caned recently, and all are fully ready to use. There are very strong attributions to Seddon, Sons & Shackleton. These antique chairs we are offering bear a very striking likeness to numerous examples of their work, and demonstrate exceptional decoration. Furthermore they are of a very good shape, rarer than the more common shield-back design. References: Christies sold a lesser set of four armchairs on 16th December 2010 for £21,250. An inferior pair sold at Christies in April 2006 for US$18,000, declared as by Seddon, Sons & Shackleton, 1790. Note the striking similarities with the single example in the V & A Museum. V & A - Explore The Collections: Armchair Seddon Sons. Seddon, Sons & Shackleton... in 1790 in the largest and most comprehensive furniture workshops in London at the time. Literature: Nb. Very close Thomas Sheraton designs in Thomas Arthur Strange, 'English Furniture, Decoration, Woodwork And Allied Arts' (1995) pp. 312, 315, ills. 1 & 20 (especially vis the back splat of the latter illustration). Christopher Gilbert, 'Furniture History', Vol. 33 (1997), pp. 1-29, The Furniture History Society. Herbert Cescinsky, 'English Furniture of the Eighteenth Century', Vol. II (1911) p. 246, fig. 267, plate 25 illustrates an almost identical back. Ralph Edwards CBE FSA, 'Shorter Dictionary of English Furniture' (Fourth edition 1972) ills. on pp. 156-160. W. Simpson, 'On the origin of The Prince Of Wales' feathers' (1881) — The legend of the Black Prince at the battle of Cressy overcoming the blind King of Bohemia, and assuming his crest of three feathers.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 35.63 in (90.5 cm)Width: 20.67 in (52.5 cm)Depth: 19.3 in (49 cm)Seat Height: 16.93 in (43 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 4
  • Style:
    George III (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Satinwood
  • Place of Origin:
    England
  • Period:
    Late 18th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1790
  • Condition:
    Replacements made: Some have been re-caned recently, and all are fully ready to use. Wear consistent with age and use. Retaining their wonderful, almost entirely original polychrome decoration. All in superb condition throughout, firm in the joints. All of them are completely ready to use.
  • Seller Location:
    Lymington, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BHA 11691stDibs: LU4081128547642

More From This Seller

View All
Rare 18th Century Mahogany Cockpen Armchair
Located in Lymington, GB
A rare 18th-century mahogany Cockpen armchair. George III-period, ca 1762. A sophisticated antique Cockpen armchair in mahogany. With chinoiserie ope...
Category

Antique 18th Century English George III Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

Rare 18th Century Mahogany Cockpen Armchair

Rare 18th Century Mahogany Cockpen Armchair

$7,194
Rare 18th Century Mahogany Cockpen Armchair
Located in Lymington, GB
A 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 English George III Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

Rare 18th Century Mahogany Cockpen Armchair

Rare 18th Century Mahogany Cockpen Armchair

$6,783
18th Century Chinese Chippendale Mahogany Gainsborough Library Armchair
Located in Lymington, GB
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...
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English George III Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Chinese Chippendale Mahogany Gainsborough Library Armchair

18th Century Chinese Chippendale Mahogany Gainsborough Library Armchair

$9,387
Early 18th Century Walnut Wing Chair
Located in Lymington, GB
An early-18th century walnut wing armchair. Queen Anne/ George I-period, ca 1714. This fine English walnut wingback chair is raised on well-drawn carved cabriole legs. With a lovely kick on the back legs. Remarkably, after some 310 years, it still retains its original gros-point needlework upholstery in vibrant colors. Of superb proportions, color, figuring and patination. Measures: H 106 cm (42'') D 68 cm (27''). W 87.5 cm (34 1/2''). Seat H: 42.5 cm. (16 3/4''). Literature: Herbert Cescinsky 'English Furniture Of The Eighteenth Century', George Routledge & Sons (1911) vol. I, p. 81, fig. 105. ''A walnut easy chair'' dated 1710. Nb. A slightly earlier antique walnut and beech wing armchair with contemporary needlework, circa 1710, sold in Christies, Lot 164, October 2015 @ £48,350 -The Property of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Sothebys sold a George II needlework...
Category

Antique Early 18th Century English Georgian Wingback Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Early 18th Century Walnut Wing Chair

Early 18th Century Walnut Wing Chair

$30,254
18th Century Carved Mahogany Library Bergère Armchair
Located in Lymington, GB
An English 18th-century carved mahogany library armchair - or bergère - of good rich colour. 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 George III Bergere Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Carved Mahogany Library Bergère Armchair

18th Century Carved Mahogany Library Bergère Armchair

$4,042
18th Century Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase China Cabinet
Located in Lymington, GB
A fine English mid-18th century mahogany secretaire / secretary / bookcase / china cabinet. Of lovely, deep, rich color, patina and quality. George III-period, circa 1760. The bold, detachable, swan-neck pediment carved with 'Gothic' open fretwork, spiral rosettes and a dentil cornice. The pediment is centred by a small platform below which is a fluted panel. The bookcase / china cabinet section with two, thirteen-pane glazed doors, with three original adjustable shelves with applied beadings for the display of china etc. The base with a pull-out writing section fitted with small drawers, two of which have secret releases. These secret drawers are faced with blind-fret 'Gothic' tracery, and centred by a carved, shaped arch. The base with three cock-beaded drawers, and raised on its original bracket feet which are faced with blind fret. This fine, sophisticated and well-proportioned example of a secretaire / secretary / cabinet / desk / bookcase is remarkable for having survived in its original state including all swan-neck handles and locks. Of superb quality, color, patination, and well figured throughout. With mahogany drawer linings: further confirmation of its superlative quality. Measures: 42" wide (107 cm) 23" deep 58.5 cm) 95" high (241 cm) - without cartouche. A related antique bureau cabinet...
Category

Antique 1740s English George III Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase China Cabinet

18th Century Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase China Cabinet

$20,556

You May Also Like

Set of Four 18th Century Italian Rococo Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of four 18th century carved walnut Italian Rococo armchairs.
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Italian Rococo Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Set of Four 18th Century Italian Rococo Armchairs

Set of Four 18th Century Italian Rococo Armchairs

$12,000 / set
18th Century Pair of Gainsborough Armchairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
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.
Category

Antique 1790s Irish George III Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

18th Century Pair of Gainsborough Armchairs

18th Century Pair of Gainsborough Armchairs

$60,000 / set
18th Century Painted Hall Chair
Located in Richmond, London
A rare and unusual George III period painted hall chair of large proportions, England, circa 1780. Why we like it A very decorative and well-drawn chair, undoubtedly from an import...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century English George III Chairs

Materials

Wood, Paint

18th Century Painted Hall Chair

18th Century Painted Hall Chair

$2,261
18th Century continental satinwood armchairs
Located in London, GB
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...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century English George III Armchairs

Materials

Satinwood

18th Century continental satinwood armchairs

18th Century continental satinwood armchairs

$13,429 / set
Set of Four 18th Century Chairs, France, Cherry, Painted, Directoire, circa 1800
Located in Greven, DE
Set of very unusual 18th century chairs It's a set of four chairs, all with different paintings of the Greek mythology. Bourgogne (France) cherrywood, oil colors Directoire,...
Category

Antique 1790s French Directoire Chairs

Materials

Cherry

Set of Four 18th Century Chairs, France, Cherry, Painted, Directoire, circa 1800

Set of Four 18th Century Chairs, France, Cherry, Painted, Directoire, circa 1800

$4,589 Sale Price / set
35% Off
Set of Three 18th Century Italian Leather Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This single Italian 18th-century armada armchair is a stunning representation of classical craftsmanship. Carved from walnut wood, it features a deeply burnished leather seat, accent...
Category

Antique Early 18th Century Italian Chairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Set of Three 18th Century Italian Leather Armchairs

Set of Three 18th Century Italian Leather Armchairs

$12,500 / set

Recently Viewed

View All

More Ways To Browse

1790 King
Prince Of Wales Feather Back Chair
Sheraton Shield Back Chair
George Edwards Flower
Arthur Simpson
Shackleton Furniture
Simpson Crest
Arthur W Simpson
Francesco Pasinato Sculpture Chairs
Gaetano Pesce X Bottega Veneta
George Smith Edwardian Chair
Gil Melott Bespoke
Gina Berschneider
Giorgio Belloli Chair
Giorgio Belloli
Grant Featherston R160
Hotel Melandre
Houtique Wink Chair
View All Popular Chairs Searches