Description
A rare pair of English late-17th century walnut chairs.
William & Mary period, circa 1695.
Lovely waxed patinated surfaces and colour.
Of museum quality, for the serious collector.
The upright, caned high backs well carved and stop-fluted.
The pierced foliate and scroll crestings vigorously carved in the typically extravagant late-17th century manner.
Raised on carved cabriole legs with serpentine seat rails, united by shaped stretchers centred with a flambeau finial.
With 17th century tapestry-covered, fitted, tie-back loose cushions, over caned seats.
Tight frames and – most importantly – no breaks. Minor historic restoration entirely consistent with their age – over 300 years.
Measures:
W 19” (48 cm)
D 15” (38 cm)
H 51” (129.5 cm).
Ralph Edwards CBE FSA illustrates a similar chair in his Shorter Dictionary of English Furniture, Hamlyn (Fourth Impression 1972) p. 131, ill. 59. He dates this chair to 1700. See also p. 126, ill. 40, 42 [sic], showing a finial centred in the stretchers.
Vis. Percy Macquoid, ‘A History of English Furniture, vol. 1, The Age of Oak and The Age of Walnut, Antique Collectors’ Club Ltd (1904-5), p. 109, fig. 101.
Our antique chair on offer here is right on the cusp of the transition from the late-17th century into the earliest form of cabriole leg, which becomes further evolved during the reign of Queen Anne (1702-1714).
