Description
A very close pair of English George III period Hepplewhite mahogany armchairs.
In the French taste, with Gothic-shaped pierced back splats and moulded frames throughout. Raised on elegant cabriole supports terminating with a ”French” scroll foot, and with serpentine seat rails.
Circa 1770.
Later upholstered in oatmeal hessian, with brass close nailing.
Evidence of minor old repairs commensurate with age. In excellent condition overall.
Literature:
Note a very similar model in Ralph Edwards CBE FSA, ’The Shorter Dictionary of English Furniture’ Hamlyn, London (Fourth Impression 1972) illustration 156, p. 157 (C.D. Rotch Colln.).
Simon Jervis, ‘Hepplewhite, George (1727–1786)’ Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford.
G. Hepplewhite, ‘The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer’s Guide’ 1st Edition (1788).
Nb. It is unusual to encounter these antique English armchairs with Gothic pierced splats.
Usually this type of chair would have an upholstered section set within the cartouche-shaped back.
