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ID #SA1068825
FOR SALE
£6,750
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A Rare Late 18th Century English Painted and Parcel Gilt Armchair
For sale by Lee Wright Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Id #SA1068825
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A Rare Late 18th Century English Painted and Parcel Gilt Armchair

18th century
Description

A Rare, Very Interesting Late 18th Century English Formal Armchair, Probably by John Linnell, in Paint and Parcel Gilding.

This lovely chair is a highly refined example of the salon or drawing room chair, influenced by French Louis XVI models, that became the height of fashion in the wealthiest homes in England in the late 18th century. Armchairs of this type are particularly associated with interiors designed by Robert Adam and James Wyatt with both architects designing subtle variations on the basic theme for each client. This particular chair is almost certainly the product of the Linnell workshops. Based in Berkeley Square in London, the Linnells catered to clients up and down the length and breadth of the British Isles with particularly notable commissions including Kedleston in Derbyshire, Osterley Park near Heathrow and Inveraray Castle in Scotland.

Our chair has several features associated with the Linnell workshops. The particularly slim and elegant proportions of the arms, the carved floral accent on the top of the head rail and the tapering leaf carved arm supports and collars on the legs are all features seen on documented Linnell chairs of this sort. Our chair relates to several drawings for armchairs by Linnell preserved in the V&A, particularly the image seen bottom left here:

https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O754674/a-miscellaneous-collection-of-original-drawing-linnell-john/

The central floral subject on the front seat rail and the carved paterae on the blocks are beautifully detailed and the leafy terminals where the arms meet the back are beautiful. The chair is in wonderful condition with nicely aged gilding and paint.

Physical Dimensions
Height
96cm (37.80")
Width
60cm (23.62")
Depth
63cm (24.80")
Declaration

Lee Wright Antiques & Interiors Ltd has dated this Painted Parcel Gilt Armchair to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1068825
Dealers Internal Reference
3676
Description
A Rare, Very Interesting Late 18th Century English Formal Armchair, Probably by John Linnell, in Paint and Parcel Gilding.

This lovely chair is a highly refined example of the salon or drawing room chair, influenced by French Louis XVI models, that became the height of fashion in the wealthiest homes in England in the late 18th century.

“
Armchairs of this type are particularly associated with interiors designed by Robert Adam and James Wyatt with both architects designing subtle variations on the basic theme for each client.
Lee Wright Antiques & Interiors Ltd

This particular chair is almost certainly the product of the Linnell workshops. Based in Berkeley Square in London, the Linnells catered to clients up and down the length and breadth of the British Isles with particularly notable commissions including Kedleston in Derbyshire, Osterley Park near Heathrow and Inveraray Castle in Scotland.

fig 1. A late 18th-century painted and parcel gilt armchair featuring an oval upholstered backrest, padded arms, turned fluted legs, and neutral striped upholstery.
fig 1. A Rare Late 18th Century English Painted and Parcel Gilt Armchair

Our chair has several features associated with the Linnell workshops. The particularly slim and elegant proportions of the arms, the carved floral accent on the top of the head rail and the tapering leaf carved arm supports and collars on the legs are all features seen on documented Linnell chairs of this sort. Our chair relates to several drawings for armchairs by Linnell preserved in the V&A, particularly the image seen bottom left here:

fig 2. A late 18th-century painted and parcel gilt armchair featuring an oval upholstered backrest, padded arms, turned fluted legs, and neutral striped upholstery.
fig 2. A Rare Late 18th Century English Painted and Parcel Gilt Armchair

https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O754674/a-miscellaneous-collection-of-original-drawing-linnell-john/

The central floral subject on the front seat rail and the carved paterae on the blocks are beautifully detailed and the leafy terminals where the arms meet the back are beautiful. The chair is in wonderful condition with nicely aged gilding and paint.

Height
96cm (37.80")
Width
60cm (23.62")
Depth
63cm (24.80")
Date of Manufacture

Lee Wright Antiques & Interiors Ltd has dated this Painted Parcel Gilt Armchair to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1068825
Dealers Internal Ref
3676
Lee Wright Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Lee Wright Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2018
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Lee Wright Antiques & Interiors Ltd Profile Page

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A late 18th-century painted and parcel gilt armchair featuring an oval upholstered backrest, padded arms, turned fluted legs, and neutral striped upholstery.
1 / 14
Archive I A late 18th-century painted and parcel gilt armchair featuring an oval upholstered backrest, padded arms, turned fluted legs, and neutral striped upholstery.

A Rare Late 18th Century English Painted and Parcel Gilt Armchair

Archive II A late 18th-century painted and parcel gilt armchair featuring an oval upholstered backrest, padded arms, turned fluted legs, and neutral striped upholstery. View II
Archive III A late 18th-century painted and parcel gilt armchair featuring an oval upholstered backrest, padded arms, turned fluted legs, and neutral striped upholstery. View III
Archive IV A late 18th-century painted and parcel gilt armchair featuring an oval upholstered backrest, padded arms, turned fluted legs, and neutral striped upholstery. View IV
Archive V A late 18th-century painted and parcel gilt armchair featuring an oval upholstered backrest, padded arms, turned fluted legs, and neutral striped upholstery. View V
Archive VI A late 18th-century painted and parcel gilt armchair featuring an oval upholstered backrest, padded arms, turned fluted legs, and neutral striped upholstery. View VI
Archive VII A late 18th-century painted and parcel gilt armchair featuring an oval upholstered backrest, padded arms, turned fluted legs, and neutral striped upholstery. View VII
Archive VIII A late 18th-century painted and parcel gilt armchair featuring an oval upholstered backrest, padded arms, turned fluted legs, and neutral striped upholstery. View VIII
Archive IX A late 18th-century painted and parcel gilt armchair featuring an oval upholstered backrest, padded arms, turned fluted legs, and neutral striped upholstery. View IX
Archive X A late 18th-century painted and parcel gilt armchair featuring an oval upholstered backrest, padded arms, turned fluted legs, and neutral striped upholstery. View X
Archive XI A late 18th-century painted and parcel gilt armchair featuring an oval upholstered backrest, padded arms, turned fluted legs, and neutral striped upholstery. View XI
Archive XII A late 18th-century painted and parcel gilt armchair featuring an oval upholstered backrest, padded arms, turned fluted legs, and neutral striped upholstery. View XII
Archive XIII A late 18th-century painted and parcel gilt armchair featuring an oval upholstered backrest, padded arms, turned fluted legs, and neutral striped upholstery. View XIII
Archive XIV A late 18th-century painted and parcel gilt armchair featuring an oval upholstered backrest, padded arms, turned fluted legs, and neutral striped upholstery. View XIV
Enlarged Archival View
Location
Lodge Farm
Walton Lane
Husbands Bosworth
Leicestershire
LE17 6NN
United Kingdom

By appointment only
Verified Since Nov 2018
Items For Sale 152
Items Sold 1,013
Lee Wright Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Lee Wright Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Verified Since Nov 2018
View Dealer Info
Location: Lodge Farm, Walton Lane, Husbands Bosworth, Leicestershire, LE17 6NN, United Kingdom, , By appointment only
Verified
Nov 2018
For Sale
152
Sold
1,013
A late 18th-century painted and parcel gilt armchair featuring an oval upholstered backrest, padded arms, turned fluted legs, and neutral striped upholstery.
A Rare Late 18th Century English Painted and Parcel Gilt Armchair
Ref: SA1068825
A late 18th-century painted and parcel gilt armchair featuring an oval upholstered backrest, padded arms, turned fluted legs, and neutral striped upholstery.
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Archival Detail
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectArmchairs
  • Period18th century
  • StyleGeorge III Neoclassical
  • MaterialWood, Gesso, Gold Leaf, Textile
  • ColourCream and Gold
  • MotifsOval backrest, fluted turned legs, carved rosettes, parcel gilding
  • SizeH 96 cm (38 in) x W 60 cm (24 in) x D 63 cm (25 in)

This formal armchair belongs to the late 18th century, reflecting a George III neoclassical style with French Louis XVI influence. Constructed from wood finished in cream paint and parcel gilt, the piece exhibits an oval upholstered backrest, padded arms, and fluted turned legs. Decorative details include carved rosettes, a floral accent on the top rail, carved paterae on the corner blocks, and leafy terminals where the arms meet the back. The upholstery consists of cream-coloured fabric with vertical stripes, secured with rows of decorative tacks along the edges of the backrest and seat. Signs of age appear in the nicely aged gilding and paint finish across the frame. Measuring 96 cm high, 60 cm wide, and 63 cm deep, this seating option is suited for formal reception rooms, drawing rooms, or elegant sitting areas in a traditional interior.

Parcel gilt painted armchairs gained prominence during the late 18th century under Neoclassical influences across Britain and Europe. Designers combined carved timber frameworks with delicate paintwork and gold leaf highlighting to echo classical Greco-Roman motifs popularized by architects such as Robert Adam.

These chairs were constructed using hardwood frames, frequently beech or fruitwood, which provided a smooth base for painted finishes. The carved details were coated in gesso before applying water-gilded gold leaf and oil-based paint, complemented by natural fibre upholstery and brass studding.

Authentic period examples exhibit hand-carved details with minor asymmetry, mortise-and-tenon joinery secured with wood pegs, and natural wear patterns where underlying gesso or timber shows through the gilded highlights. Frame undersides generally reveal hand-sawn timber marks and original webbing remnants.

A Neoclassical armchair functions as a refined accent piece alongside modern neutral sofas, in study spaces, or within a formal reception room. Combining historical gilded finishes with minimalist surrounding textiles allows the structural silhouette of the chair to stand out.

Preserve the original surface finish by keeping the timber away from direct sunlight and artificial heat sources, which cause wood movement and gesso cracking. Clean exclusively using a soft dry natural brush, avoiding liquid cleaners, solvent polishes, or abrasive cloths.
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