Chair, one of a pair of mahogany chairs

Museum number

F11

Object

Chair, one of a pair of mahogany chairs

Description

Side chair, one of a pair, of mahogany with upholstered seat. probably c 1880-1900 in the style of Thomas Chippendale. Of standard size, the back elaborately carved in openwork pattern of interlacing ribbons in the central splat and over the bowed cresting rail, the side uprights of solid mahogany with relief carving of leaves and flowers and scrolling leaves at top corners at the junction with cresting rail, the seat frame covered in upholstery with lower section of seat rail exposed and carved in relief with scrolling acanthus leaves, the front legs of cabriole or serpentine form carved with canthus and cabochon decoration on the knees, terminating in ball-and-claw feet, the back legs plain. The seat covered in worn, faded damask.The design for the chair is taken from Thomas Chippendale, The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director, Ist Edition, 1754, Plate XVI and 3rd Edition, 1762, Plate XV. Note the comment in Chippendale's text for 3rd Edition, on the design for "Ribband Back chairs.... which, if I may speak without vanity, are the best I have ever seen (or perhaps have ever been made.)"When acquired by the Museum as a gift from Miss Hope in 1918, the chairs were thought to be of c. 1755. However more recent opinion suggests that they may be of late 19th century date, when there was a considerable revival of the CHippendale style in furniture and interior decoration. Many chairs were made at this time, following original 18th century designs such as Chippendale's, but often with over-elaborate decoration as is demonstrated on these chairs.

Materials

Mahogany

Inscription

None

On display?

No

Further description

Simple name

Furniture

Subject

Decorative

Dimensions

framed: 96.3000cm (h) x 58.7000cm (l)