Irish Seating

An exceptional circa 1805 Irish late George III neoclassical hall bench of solid mahogany construction, the rectangular seat with satinwood and ebony 'zigzag' border inlay above flat...

Presenting a fabulous 19C set of 6 Irish Chippendale style ribbon back dining chairs. Irish made circa 1840-60. We know that these are Irish due to the signature ‘hairy paw’ feet which is synonymous with Irish Georgian furniture that were made in the Chippendale Style. These are hand crafted chairs, made of mahogany, and have fabulously detailed ‘Ribbon’ backs splats with tassel, acanthus floral and bow details. All 6 have been re-upholstered by us in a gorgeous tan/light gold silk damask fabric which is beautifully sympathetic to the style and period. We are confident that these are Early to Mid 19th Century chairs for a number of reasons: (1) The are hand crafted, (2) the color/patina is what you would expect with natural aging, (3) they have evidence of historic repairs, wear and tear consistent with age, (4) when we removed the old upholstery fabric, which looked like it was done in the 1980’s, we discovered the original ‘horse hair’ cushion filling … this practice stopped in the early 20th Century. The seat webbing was also much older and needed replacing. Fabulous acanthus carving on the knees of the front legs, with curved legs leading down to the fabulously carved hairy paws. Nice indented decoration on the front of the seat. The rear legs are undecorated and curve outwards for additional support and stability. Unsigned and unmarked but undoubtedly made by a top Irish furniture maker. probably in Dublin. Condition: Each chair has been newly re-upholstered and seat webbing replaced. The original horse hair cushion filling was cleaned and incorporated into the new cushion with modern foam to create a more comfortable and uniform seat cushion, but still retaining originality. Each chair has signs of historic repairs to the ribbon back splats over the generations. This is not unusual due to the somewhat delicate nature of these types of back splats. Also, it is an indicator of true age. The chair to the back left in the main photos has had the most repairs and much more recently performed (by us) as the back splaty was broken in 2 places (but we had the original pieces) and the chair needed the insertion of metal pins to secure the repaired sections. We have provided a couple of photos of this back splat which you can see evidence of the repairs. The repairs are very professionally done and the chair is now fully functionable and usable and the repairs are not very noticeable. These repairs are reflected in the pricing, as, if these chairs were ‘mint’ they would be very valuable and expensive ! Irish furniture can be recognised by certain features, which differentiate it from its European counterparts. The Irish style of furniture is said to have been lagging behind in fashion compared to English equivalent by a number of years, in both its design and manner by which the furniture was manufactured. A defining feature of the mid-eighteenth-century furniture is the carving on different parts of the furniture such as the aprons, blanket chests, bottle-stands and such objects. The carvings included foliated details, baskets of flowers and scallop shells, which are some of the most prominent carvings that are represented on Irish furniture at this time. A few of the Irish makers of these objects were James Hicks, Arthur Jones, William Moore, Mack & Gibton and Robert Strahan. All though individuals would have been the most prominent at the time of the 18th century and early 19th century but there are any other cabinet makers as well. Not all Irish furniture was detailed with such wonderful carvings and some might have been seen to be rather plain. One of the most identifiable items that are described as plain is the Irish Hunt Table, its simple elegance comprising of with straight plain legs. It was most commonly used in the dining room of a rural house such as a agents house or large house of a land holder. Another very popular and simply designed piece was the Irish Silver table, its design is very elegant and yet individual partially owing to the shell motive. Other examples of such Irish tables are side tables which have a distinctive double scrolled leg. Usually legs are carved with acanthus and have paw feet which are quite popular in Ireland but more rare in England. Other features are the inside leg which is carved with elongated C-scroll. The triple scroll on the leg was common place. Some cabinet makers and creativity was really captured with their side tables in how the carving was done. This carving may include Jupiters eagle or Lion mask and flanked Swags of flowers. In other furniture such as chairs, the H-shaped serpentine stretcher was popular in the 18th century in Ireland and when English chairs had moved forward in their design the Irish makers were still using the H-shaped serpentine. There was certainly an overlap between Irish and English furniture, one can see that Irish cabinet makers used English pattern books but used Irish features such as the carvings as the shell, baskets of flowers and foliated details. Another unique feature in Irish cabinet making was Killarney ware...

Step into the rustic elegance of this 18th-century Irish ash hedge chair, a remarkable embodiment of Ireland's rich heritage and the ingenuity of its craftsmen. A true hedge chair has roots in traditional folk art being constructed from found branches and lumber and showcases the resourcefulness and creativity of the skilled Irish craftsmen of the era. With its organic materials and timeless appeal, this hedge chair brings a touch of nature's beauty into any space. As you settle into its well-worn seat, you can almost hear echoes of conversations and stories shared around it throughout history. Own a piece of Ireland's past with this extraordinary 18th-century Irish hedge chair...

Late 19th century pair of George II style Irish mahogany side chairs. Walnut. Knees boldly carved with scrolling acanthus leaves descending to cabriole leg to hairy lion paw feet. Sc...

Great set of 12 19th century Irish dining chairs with a 19th- early 20th century label from an antiques dealer in Dublin. Set is comprised of 4 arm chairs and 8 sides, indicating they were probably from a much larger set made for a stately home. The four arm chairs have hand carved eagles for the arm rests. All 12 very ornately carved with shells, foliage and profound ball and claw feet. Upholstered drop seats are in great shape and ready for use. Label- M. Butler Dublin...

Pair of Irish Chippendale revival sofas, The profusely carved mahogany frames, upholstered in a pale green silk damask, with squab cushions & bolsters. The settees having shaped back...

Early 19th century Irish rustic Windsor stick armchair, the primitive crest rail over spoke-shaved spindles, the plank seat supported by four splayed pole legs, the whole retaining o...

A very fine 19th century Irish set of twelve dining chairs by 'Strahan of Dublin'. The well figured, moulded mahogany frame with an elegantly curved balloon back raised over cushione...

Very fine set of 10 18th century Irish chippendale dining chairs. Made in the period of heavy 1st growth mahogany, these chairs feature...

*Winner of the 2022 Masterpiece Fair Furniture Highlight* The 1851 Great Exhibition Carved Bog Yew Armchair by Arthur Jones of Dublin Carved entire...

An extraordinary Set of twelve Irish Regency Mahogany dining chairs, C. 1830. The set has particularly rich and handsome wood with deep color and excellent graining. Each Chair featu...

Elegant, green mohair 19th century sofa with intricately carved detail and nailhead trim.  

18th Century George III carved mahogany Gainsborough armchair with a gently curved upholstered back and carved, shaped arms, complete with scrolled handles and leaf-carved moldings t...

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

Early 19th Century George III Gainsborough camelback sofa with scrolled arms, raised over six moulded marlborough legs supported by distinctive pierced stretchers which incorporate s...

DESCRIPTION: Late 18th Century Irish Folk Art Armchair, Circa 1780, Ireland. Very decorative piece made with oak. CONDITION: Good condition. Wear consistent with age and use. DIMENSIONS: Height: 90cm (35.5in) Width: 65cm (25.5in) Depth: 46cm (18in) Seat Height: 44cm (17in) ABOUT THE STYLE: The chair, as furniture, is probably the oldest of all types of furniture found in Ireland. One of the earliest types of seating found in any rural home was the ‘creepie’; a roughly made stool often consisting of a log raised off the floor. Throughout the Irish Country Furniture...

A very fine Irish 19th century mahogany hall settee. the exquisitely carved shaped and pierced back splat with flower head motif detail above shaped and mo...

A stunning 19th century Irish carved mahogany triple chair back settee by Butler of Dublin in the 18th century style, the triple domed crest, above an elaborately carved and interlaced ribbon splat, joined to the padded seat by out scrolling arms which terminate in wonderful lion masks, raised on acanthus carved cabriole legs terminating in ball and claw feet  Circa 1890 Irish Artists Biography: Michael Butler, from a family of Dublin cabinet­makers, is recorded at 26, 126 and 127 Upper Abbey Street, between 1885­ 1903, then as Michael Butler Ltd, Antique Galleries, from the same address between 1904 to ­1912. His firm specialized in reproducing Irish 18th Century mahogany furniture...

19th century pair of mahogany William IV twin-handled stools raised on simple sabre legs topped with rounded, carved finals. The seats have recently been ...

Pair of 18th Century mahogany Chippendale style chairs with interlaced back splats, fluted top rails, and simply shaped supports leadi...

Antique Irish Scumbled Pine Bench. Scumbled which is defined as; “applying a painted pattern to the finish of a piece of furniture, which is commonly pine to simulate the woodgrain o...

Set of 12 (2 arms/10 sides) Irish George II style (19/20th Cent) carved elm wood chairs with pierced carved backs and patterned chenille slip seats (arms 23" w x 16.75" d x 39.5" h)

18th Century Irish wing chair ornately carved mahogany apron with scrolling foliate and central lion head motif. Supported on cabriole legs terminatin...

18th century Georgian tufted green leather wing chair without scrolled wings and arms above a loose cushion on squared legs joined by an H-str...

Pair of 18th century Chinese Chippendale-style armchairs with newly upholstered seats and backs in green damask fabric. This pair of chairs features blind fretwork on the arms and le...

A stunning early 19th century mahogany hall bench by Mack, Williams and Gibton, Dublin. With Rochfort family crest. Circa 1810 Irish Footnote: The firm of Mack, Williams and Gibt...

An exceptional pair of 19th century carved mahogany armchairs in the style of Thomas Chippendale, the domed crest, above an elaborately carved and interlaced ribbon splat, joined to ...

Early 19th century Irish mahogany wing chair with ornate carved frieze, with scrolling foliage, on cabriole legs and hairy paw feet.

Early 19th Century set of eight Cork mahogany dining chairs with unusual carved reeded design to backrests and legs. Circa 1820

Early 19th century Regency sofa in the manner of George Hepplewhite, the serpentine back raised over outscrolling arms above serpentine seat supported on cabriole leg terminating on ...

An Irish George II Mahogany Wingback Armchair With a well shaped back and roll arms resting on bold acanthus carved cabriole legs, terminating in lions paw feet, supported by a flat...

19th century set of eight (two carvers and six singles) Chippendale style dining chairs with finely carved back splat with gold upholstered drop in cushioned seat supported on cabrio...

19th Century Regency ebonised carved library chair with needlepoint back and seat, of solid wood construction and finely carved details. The arms of t...

Early 19th century pair of mahogany upholstered Gainsborough armchairs. The square, arched and padded back above padded arms with carved acanthus motif terminals raised over cabriole...

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.

18th century George III wing chair, the straight back with outscrolled wings raised over outscrolling arms raised above hipped cabriole leg with ...

Late 18th-century set of six ladder-back dining chairs, shaped and pierced cresting and back rails, drop in upholstered seat cushion above square fluted front supports, joined by 'H'...

Early 19th century George III wing chair, the shaped back without scrolled wings and arms raised over squared leg joined with H stretcher termina...

19th Century occasional chair in the French style, with simply turned mahogany legs to the front terminating on brass castors, and two plain mahogany legs to the rear. This piece has recently been re-upholstered in a simple fabric with decorative brass nail detailing just above the front legs. Often called ‘Slipper Chairs’, these types of chairs...

A very fine early 19th Century Irish William IV well figured mahogany framed double ended sofa. This superb piece is beautifully hand carved with rich patination, grain and is newly...

We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original steeple back circa 1800 Georgian Irish in the Gothic revival manor armchair A very good looking collectable and decorati...

Set of six Irish 18th century Georgian dining chairs.

18th Century highly carved Irish cabriole leg stool with scrolling acanthus leaf and shell detail to the knees and terminating on four ball and claw...

A fine pair of Hepplewhite style wheelback armchairs with oval-shaped backrests and spiderweb detailing, shaped reeded armrests & stuffed over seats. These chairs are raised on taper...

A fine 19th Century George III period mahogany Hepplewhite tub chair in the French taste.

18th century George II Irish window seat in the rococo style of rectangular form upholstered in needle work, the scrolling opposing padded arms with moulded frame and carved rose hea...

Antique Irish chippendale carved armchair with leather upholstery, circa 1840.

Pair of 18th century Irish mahogany side chairs on cabriole legs with carved shell on knees.

A very rare Irish 19th Century well figured mahogany armchair attributed to 'Butlers' of Dublin. This stunning piece is of exceptional quality, finely hand carved with beautifully r...

Early 19th century Gainsborough mahogany armchair in the manner of Chippendale, upholstered in sage green silk damask in the traditional 19th century style with brass studding, the s...

A large, characterful 19th century vernacular chair, primitively constructed from heavily patinated elm with original woven rush seat. Irish, c. 1850.

18th Century Irish Georgian stool with unusual serpentine-shaped rail and raised on acanthus carved cabriole legs terminating on slipper feet. This ...

19th Century Irish Mahogany Open Armchair. This desk chair in the Georgian style with a solid carved splat and top rail, outswept arms, ov...

19th Century mahogany X frame stool with comfortable upholstered seat, scrolling supports and shaped stretchers

Rare 19th Century Irish famine chair. Beautifully constructed from ash with a lovely washed out colour. The chair is very robust and with a wide sea...

Pair 19th century mahogany corner chairs with shaped backs, scroll arm supports and decoratively carved back splats to the centre. Both chairs sit on four cabriole legs, the front...

A fine mid 19th century red leather tub armchair, by the cabinet maker and upholster Robert Strahan & Co of 24-25 Henry Street Dublin, In country house condition totally untouched an...

A fabulous early 20th Century well figured mahogany stool in the Georgian Irish style of exceptional quality and finely carved with rich patination and beautiful grain. The cushione...

19th Century mahogany stool, the shaped top on shaped seat frame raised on slender cabriole legs

An Irish hall seat in finely carved and painted mahogany. Depicting mythological beasts, neoclassical elements and shamrock. Newly upholstered in raw linen.