Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21

10 ANTIQUE CiRCA 1780 ITALIAN LEATHER DINING CHAIRS FROM DONNINGTON CASTLE HOUSE

$13,642.98per set
£9,950per set
€11,604.47per set
CA$18,681.91per set
A$20,771.74per set
CHF 10,845.86per set
MX$252,842.64per set
NOK 138,388.40per set
SEK 129,663.32per set
DKK 86,606.33per set
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of ten handmade original Italian circa 1760-1780 Dining chairs with the period leather upholstery with gold leaf embossing that came from Donnington Castle House Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote, please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price. This is a once in a lifetime chance to own this suite of chairs, they are 240-260 years old from new, in Walnut and Oak with mostly all the period leather which is held in place with massive decorative floral head studs The chairs came from as mentioned Donnington Castle House which is a Grade II listed building, I will include below a brief history of the estate Condition wise we have lightly cleaned waxed and polished the chairs from top to bottom, the timber is all strong and stable with a fantastic rich warm grain. The leather is very very old, it has aged and worn well, one seat pad has been replaced as you can see in the pictures and I think one top back line as well, the hide just screams originality, it is gold leaf embossed with the Family Crest in the middle and Fleur De Lis in the corners Dimensions Height:- 105cm Width:- 47cm Depth:- 51cm Seat height:- 47cm Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask. Donnington Castle House In 1632, Donnington Castle had been purchased by John Packer of Shellingford Castle. During the 2nd Battle of Newbury in 1644, it was held for the King and received such severe damage that, three years later, it was described as "ruinous". However, the associated estate survived intact, along with the old steward's lodge which had not been quite so badly damaged. Having regained his Donnington property, Packer had the lodge rebuilt in 1648, using some materials from the old castle, although the house is essentially of brick. It then consisted only of the main entrance range, with two facing gables and flanking diamond chimneys. The two gables apparently once joined in the centre. The woodwork, including the fine staircase and some of the panelling, was undertaken by Richard Vesey of Westminster. The extensive eastern wings were added some time later. Packer died the following year and Donnington was left to his eldest son, Robert. He resided at Shellingford, but let his younger brother, William, occupy Donnington Castle House. He took a great interest in the Donnington Hospital. At the death of the brothers Packer, their heir, another Robert, was just a boy, so the estate was managed by a barrister named Michael Mallett. However, Robert's son, Winchcombe Howard Packer, favoured Donnington Castle House as his principal residence and received many of the chief wits and celebrities of the early 18th-century there: one of whom in a birthday-ode describes him as the "Patriot, generous and humane." The family had married a number of great heiresses though and inherited large properties at Little Sodbury Manor in Gloucestershire and Bucklebury House in Berkshire, so Donnington was moving still further down the list of their desirable residences. Winchcombe's sister and heiress, Elizabeth Packer and her husband, David Hartley, the famous physician and philosopher, did live at Donnington Castle House for a year in the mid-18th century. They considered making it their permanent residence, but in the end decided that they preferred London and Bath. From the 1790s, the house was rented out to tenants. The Bacon brothers appear to have both been in residence at some time. Anthony and Thomas Bushby Bacon were the illegitimate sons and joint-surviving heirs of the great Welsh ironmaster, Anthony Bacon, who made Merthyr Tydfil what it is today. They became two of the richest men in the country, but had no interest in their ironworks and sold them or rented them out. They became English country gentlemen in Berkshire instead. Anthony lived at Donnington Grove, then possibly Donnington Castle House. He moved to Benham Park in 1811, before retiring to Elcot Park in Kintbury in 1823. For twenty years, he was Commander of the Donnington Castle and Newbury Troop of the 1st Berkshire Cavalry. His son was the famous General Bacon who served in the Napoleonic Wars. Thomas lived at Padworth House during his brother's lifetime, but rented Donnington Castle House, the former residence of Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Sacheverell Stead, from 1830. In 1840, he moved to Redlands House, adjoining what is now Wantage Hall in Reading. His daughter was the grandmother of the local Berkshire historian, Emma Elizabeth Thoyts of Sulhamstead House. The Bacon family vault is in Shaw-cum-Donnington Church. In 1924, the house and estate were sold to Edward Festus Kelly, the publisher of Kelly's Directories, and, in 1950, to Derek Parker-Bowles, the former father-in-law of the present Duchess of Cornwall. He became Sheriff of Berkshire in 1966. Any questions please feel free to ask before you bid. Condition Please view the very detailed pictures as they form part of the description around condition Please note vintage period and original items such as leather seating will always have natural patina in the form of cracking creasing and wear, we recommend regular waxing to ensure no moisture is lost, also hand dyed leather is not recommended to sit in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time as it will dry out and fade.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 41.34 in (105 cm)Width: 18.51 in (47 cm)Depth: 20.08 in (51 cm)Seat Height: 18.51 in (47 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 10
  • Style:
    Georgian (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
    1780-1789
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1780
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor structural damages. Minor fading.
  • Seller Location:
    West Sussex, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2823342344232

More From This Seller

View All
Fine Set of Six Henry II circa 1880 French Oak & Embossed Leather Dining Chairs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptional set of six French oak with Embossed pressed brown leather upholstered Henry II circa 1880 dining chairs A very rare and totally original set of Victorian dining chairs...
Category

Antique 1880s French High Victorian Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

Eight Carved Jacobean Throne Dining Chairs Hand Painted & Embossed Leather Seats
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare suite of mid Victorian throne dining chairs based on early Jacobean designs with hand painted lea...
Category

Antique 1880s English High Victorian Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

Set of Six Henry II circa 1880 French Oak & Embossed Leather Lion Dining Chairs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptional set of six French oak with Embossed pressed brown leather upholster Henry II circa 1880 dining chairs with bronze dolphin handles A very rare and totally original set of Victorian dining chairs...
Category

Antique 1880s French Victorian Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

LOVELY SET OF 6 HENRY II CIRCA 1880 FRENCH OAK & EMBOSSED LEATHER DINING CHAIRs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exceptional set of six French oak with Embossed brown leather upholstered Henry II circa 1880 dining ch...
Category

Antique 1880s English High Victorian Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

Six Henry II circa 1880 French Oak and Embossed Crocodile Leather Dining Chairs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We delighted to offer for sale this exceptional set of six French oak with Embossed pressed brown leather upholstered Henry II circa 1880 dining chairs with crocodile leather embossed seat pads A very rare and totally original set of Victorian dining chairs...
Category

Antique 1880s French Victorian Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Crocodile, Oak

Suite of 10 Carolean Dining Chairs with Crocodile Alligator Patina Leather Ten
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exquisite suite of handmade in Italy Carolean dining chairs with walnut frames and crocodile patina brown leat...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

You May Also Like

Unique and Characterful Set of 6 Original Antique Dutch Leather Dining Chairs
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This set of 6 fantastic antique Dutch dining chairs boasts a striking character and is truly a statement piece. Dating from the late 18th to early 19th century, these chairs retain t...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Classical Roman Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

19th Century Carved Oak and Leather Dining Sidechairs & Armchairs, Set of 8
Located in Dallas, TX
These elegant dining chairs and matching armchairs were crafted in England, circa 1870. Carved from solid oak, each chair features a rectangular back dressed with foliated finials at...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Jacobean Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

Set of Ten Spanish Leather Dining Chairs C. 1940's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A set of ten Spanish dining chairs including two armchairs and eight side chairs with leather seats and backs. The chairs are sturdy with a dark walnut frame and decorative turned d...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Metal

Antique Set of 6 Embossed and Painted Leather Dining Chairs, circa 1860-80
Located in Round Top, TX
Impressive set of six embossed and hand-painted leather dining chairs with oak barley twist legs and stretchers. Elaborate details abound in each chair, with intricate embossed patte...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Renaissance Revival Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak, Paint

Set of Eight 18th Century Italian Walnut and Leather Dining Chairs
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Set of eight 18th Century Italian walnut chairs. With original embossed leather backs and seats.
Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Set of 8 18th Century Venetian Leather Dining Chairs
Located in New Orleans, LA
This set of 8 18th century Venetian leather dining chairs has beautiful features that perfectly embody the style of the time. The carving on the legs is a testament to how fine the c...
Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood