Description
A rare 18th-century mahogany Cockpen open armchair of very good quality. George III-period, ca 1760.
This antique armchair is in mahogany with a chinoiserie open-fretwork (or Chinese latticework) frame, including in the outset arms.
Raised on square chamfered supports. Very minor historic restorations commensurate with age – in superb condition throughout. Sturdy in all its joints. With slip-in seat now beautifully upholstered in blue velvet.
We do like this sophisticated chair design. Often we are asked for ‘harlequin’ or matched sets to be placed around dining tables.
Nb. There are numerous late-19th and 20th-century copies of this Cockpen design. However, ours on offer here is Georgian – a chic antique desk chair (or occasional armchair) of good, rich colour and patination.
Literature:
Christopher Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, p. 101, fig 167.
Ralph Edwards CBE FSA, A Shorter Dictionary of English Furniture, Hamlyn (Fourth Impression 1972) p. 150, ill. 132, documents a similar armchair dated circa 1765.
Thomas Arthur Strange, English furniture (1890) pp. 133, 156 & 157.
Thomas Chippendale, Director (1754) ill. XXVI.
Percy Macquoid RI, A History of English Furniture – The Age of Mahogany, London, Bracken (1908) p.298, ill. 682. Property of the Duke of Beaufort. ”One of a set and particularly pleasing in shape; it corresponds in design to the table fig. 676.”
Ralph Edwards CBE FSA, Georgian Cabinet-Makers, London (1955) p. 136, fig. 88.
Sebastian Pryke, The 18th Century Furniture Trade in Edinburgh (1995).
Sebastian Pryke, Cockpen Quest, Country Life, 29th April 1993.
The family pew of the Earls and Marquesses in Cockpen Church formerly contained examples in this manner.
A more intricately designed latticework chair was produced by Thomas Chippendale, and became known as the ‘Chinese Chippendale’ style.
Chippendale’s 1762 Director includes several plates depicting the chair style, and 2 pages of “Chinese Railings”.
Blind and open fretwork throughout the mid-18th century repeats this pattern of asymmetrical intersecting lines.
Although the Cockpen chair thrived in Scotland during the second half of the 18th century, the term “Cockpen” appears not to have been used during this period.
This furniture derives its name from the Cockpen and Carrington Parish Church, Bonnyrigg, near Edinburgh, Scotland.
Cockpen & Carrington Parish Church
https://www.church.cockpen.co.uk
The Church is situated in a rural setting to the South East of Bonnyrigg on the B704.
