What defines George III polychrome decorated furniture?

George III polychrome decorated furniture originated in late 18th-century Britain, characterised by Neoclassical forms and hand-painted floral or classical motifs influenced by designers like George Hepplewhite and Thomas Sheraton.

What materials were traditionally used in 18th-century painted armchairs?

These armchairs were typically constructed from woods such as beech, satinwood, or mahogany, which were primed and hand-painted with mineral pigments before being fitted with woven webbing and natural horsehair upholstery.

How can you identify authentic 18th-century painted seating?

Authentic pieces feature mortise-and-tenon joinery, subtle variations from hand-carved elements, natural paint craquelure, and wear consistent with age along the armrests and lower legs.

How can George III open armchairs be styled in a modern interior?

These armchairs serve as functional accent seating when placed on either side of a console table, in an entryway, or alongside neutral contemporary sofas to create visual contrast.

How should antique painted furniture be maintained?

Clean the timber surfaces gently with a dry microfibre cloth, avoid applying harsh chemical polishes, and keep the furniture away from direct heat sources and sunlight to prevent paint flaking.

for sale €2,984 $3,239

£2,550

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George III Armchairs

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Antique Pair George III Polychrome Decorated Open Armchairs C1785 18th C

Name: Antique Pair George III Polychrome Decorated Open Armchairs C1785 18th C
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1097108
Price: 2550 GBP
Availability: InStock

18th century

For Sale by Regent Antiques

Description

A superb pair of George III polychrome decorated open armchairs, attributed to Gillows, Circa 1785 in date.

Each is superbly decorated with hand painted garlands, ribbon tied foliate trails, patera, bellflower pendants and demi-lune fan medallion. The chairs have shield shaped back with vertical medallion splats raised on square tapering front legs and splayed rear legs.

They are beautifully upholstered in a cream floral patterned and buttoned fabric.

Footnotes:

A virtually identical mahogany open armchair, albeit one with carved rather than polychrome detailing to its frames, is illustrated in S. Stuart, Gillows of Lancaster and London, 1730-1840, Vol. I, 2008, Woodbridge, pl. 124, p. 165. A closely comparable design appears alongside, with the description: 'The five-splat chair with a 'camel back stay rail' made for Mrs Chadwick in December 1785'. This Gillows model was then published in the renowned cabinet maker's Estimate Sketch Books in January of the following year, Ibid, pl. 123, p. 165. A slightly more simplified version of this design, dated circa 1785, which is also directly related to the offered and aforementioned chairs is in Gillow Furniture Designs, 1760-1800, introduction and ed. by L. Boynton, 1995, Royston, fig. 260. This same drawing appears again in S. Stuart, Gillows of Lancaster and London, 1730-1840, Vol. I, 2008, Woodbridge, fig. 1, p.134. This latter example is evidently one of a group of reproductions, also dating to circa 1785, taken from the 'Journeymen's Price Agreement' which is therein described as: 'Camel Back Stay Rail, 5 splat escutcheon or shield'.

There is no mistaking their beautiful and stylish design, which is certain to make them a treasured addition to one of the rooms in your home.

Condition:

In excellent original condition having only been beautifully wax polished in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 98 cm x Width 57 cm x Depth 53 cm

Height 45 cm - Seat Height

Dimensions in inches:

Height 3 foot, 3 inches x Width 1 foot, 10 inches x Depth 1 foot, 9 inches

Height 1 foot, 6 inches - Seat Height

Gillow & Co.

was originally founded in Lancaster in 1730. Gillow’s of Lancaster was a household name in Victorian Britain, and the firm exported furniture throughout the Empire. Key to the company’s success was the dynamic father and son team at its core.

The London branch was opened in 1775. Among Gillow’s most successful pieces during this period were those made in the Neoclassical style from original drawings by Robert Adam. In the period 1813-1820 the Gillow family gradually withdrew from personal involvement with the business.

In 1897 Gillow & Co. merged with a Liverpool firm and they henceforth traded as Waring & Gillow.

Our reference: A4130

Physical Dimensions

Height

98cm (38.58")

Width

57cm (22.44")

Depth

53cm (20.87")

Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated these George III Painted Armchairs to the 1750s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1097108

Dealers Internal Reference

A4130

Description

A superb pair of George III polychrome decorated open armchairs, attributed to Gillows, Circa 1785 in date.

“

Each is superbly decorated with hand painted garlands, ribbon tied foliate trails, patera, bellflower pendants and demi-lune fan medallion.

Regent Antiques

The chairs have shield shaped back with vertical medallion splats raised on square tapering front legs and splayed rear legs.

fig 1. A pair of late 18th-century George III open armchairs with shield-shaped backs, painted floral motifs, and cream patterned upholstered seats. — fig 1. Antique Pair George III Polychrome Decorated Open Armchairs C1785 18th C

They are beautifully upholstered in a cream floral patterned and buttoned fabric.

Footnotes:

A virtually identical mahogany open armchair, albeit one with carved rather than polychrome detailing to its frames, is illustrated in S. Stuart, Gillows of Lancaster and London, 1730-1840, Vol. I, 2008, Woodbridge, pl. 124, p. 165. A closely comparable design appears alongside, with the description: 'The five-splat chair with a 'camel back stay rail' made for Mrs Chadwick in December 1785'. This Gillows model was then published in the renowned cabinet maker's Estimate Sketch Books in January of the following year, Ibid, pl. 123, p. 165. A slightly more simplified version of this design, dated circa 1785, which is also directly related to the offered and aforementioned chairs is in Gillow Furniture Designs, 1760-1800, introduction and ed. by L. Boynton, 1995, Royston, fig. 260. This same drawing appears again in S. Stuart, Gillows of Lancaster and London, 1730-1840, Vol. I, 2008, Woodbridge, fig. 1, p.134. This latter example is evidently one of a group of reproductions, also dating to circa 1785, taken from the 'Journeymen's Price Agreement' which is therein described as: 'Camel Back Stay Rail, 5 splat escutcheon or shield'.

fig 2. A pair of late 18th-century George III open armchairs with shield-shaped backs, painted floral motifs, and cream patterned upholstered seats. — fig 2. Antique Pair George III Polychrome Decorated Open Armchairs C1785 18th C

There is no mistaking their beautiful and stylish design, which is certain to make them a treasured addition to one of the rooms in your home.

Condition:

In excellent original condition having only been beautifully wax polished in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

fig 3. A pair of late 18th-century George III open armchairs with shield-shaped backs, painted floral motifs, and cream patterned upholstered seats. — fig 3. Antique Pair George III Polychrome Decorated Open Armchairs C1785 18th C

Dimensions in cm:

Height 98 cm x Width 57 cm x Depth 53 cm

Height 45 cm - Seat Height

Dimensions in inches:

Height 3 foot, 3 inches x Width 1 foot, 10 inches x Depth 1 foot, 9 inches

Height 1 foot, 6 inches - Seat Height

fig 4. A pair of late 18th-century George III open armchairs with shield-shaped backs, painted floral motifs, and cream patterned upholstered seats. — fig 4. Antique Pair George III Polychrome Decorated Open Armchairs C1785 18th C

Gillow & Co.

was originally founded in Lancaster in 1730. Gillow’s of Lancaster was a household name in Victorian Britain, and the firm exported furniture throughout the Empire. Key to the company’s success was the dynamic father and son team at its core.

fig 5. A pair of late 18th-century George III open armchairs with shield-shaped backs, painted floral motifs, and cream patterned upholstered seats. — fig 5. Antique Pair George III Polychrome Decorated Open Armchairs C1785 18th C

The London branch was opened in 1775. Among Gillow’s most successful pieces during this period were those made in the Neoclassical style from original drawings by Robert Adam. In the period 1813-1820 the Gillow family gradually withdrew from personal involvement with the business.

In 1897 Gillow & Co. merged with a Liverpool firm and they henceforth traded as Waring & Gillow.

Our reference: A4130