Exceptional Pair of Late 19th Century George II Style Mahogany Gainsborough Open Armchairs

1900 - 1920

Sold by LVS Decorative Arts

Description

An exceptional pair of late 19th/early 20th century George II style mahogany Gainsborough open armchairs ( or library chairs) of large proportions with possibly the original upholstery.

This superb pair of chairs are copies of an original model made around 1750, examples of these models, originally probably from a larger set, can be found in The Gerstenfeld Collection (pair armchairs) sold by Christies, The Lady Lever Art Gallery (one armchair) purchased by Moss Harris June 1915 and later the same month sold to Lever for a considerably higher sum and also the V&A (stool and armchair).

The original chairs are documented in the book ‘Masterpieces of English Furniture – The Gerstenfeld Collection’ which is a Christie’s book, these chairs being described as a ‘strikingly sculptural pair of George II library armchairs, part of a larger suite of which six armchairs and a stool are now known. They are the collector’s dream for one thing and one thing only – the use of the dolphin head as a decoration. Dated around 1750, these armchairs are superbly and richly carved in mahogany. Notice the quite beautiful arms, outstandingly carved with dolphin heads with scaled S-shaped supports to the tail…certainly the work of a great chair maker – carved with acanthus, C-scrolls and scaling on the front legs which terminate with dolphin heads. These chairs are very important examples...’

This highly decorative and impressive pair of chairs date from the late 19th/early 20th century and have been finely crafted and carved to replicate the original model.

The chairs consist of a shaped and carved top rail with a carved central rocaille (shell style) decoration with carved scrolling acanthus to either side leading down to carved uprights and drop-in upholstered padded back.

The finely carved arms consist of S-shaped dolphin scaled bodies rising from a water spout with foliate fins and acanthus carved tail with the superbly carved dolphin head forming the arm.

This leads down to the carved and moulded seat rails with drop-in padded seat leading down to a profusely carved apron to the front with carved central rocaille and foliate decoration flowing into the front cabriole legs, these being profusely carved with foliate and rocaille decoration leading down to a scaled body terminating with the dolphin head.

The shaped and carved side rails lead down to the cabriole legs to the back with carved foliate and rocaille decoration to the top and terminating with a pointed toe.

We have left these chairs with what we believe to be the original upholstery and as can be seen there is some wear - however this can easily be changed either once purchased or please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss this further – this being an easy task for an upholsterer due to the drop-in seat and back.

This pair of chairs are in excellent original condition for age, are of stable construction and can go straight into a home or collection – if an original pair of chairs of this model came onto the open market for sale today they would undoubtedly sell for many thousands of pounds.

Reference: ‘Masterpieces of English Furniture – The Gerstenfeld

Collection’ – Christie’s

Pages 56-60 and 214

‘The Upholstered Furniture in The Lady Lever Art

Gallery Volume 1’ by Lucy Wood

Illustrated on the front cover and pages 532-541

Size:

Height: 42’’ / 107cm

Width: 35.5’’ / 90cm

25.5’’ / 65cm (seat only)

Depth: 31’’ / 79cm

20.5’’ / 52cm (seat only)

Seat height: 19’’ / 48cm

Physical Dimensions

Height

107cm (42.13")

Width

90cm (35.43")

Depth

79cm (31.10")

Declaration

LVS Decorative Arts has dated this piece to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA487393

Dealers Internal Reference

LVS914

Dealers Notes

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LVS Decorative Arts is a small family run business based in Suffolk, specialising in an eclectic mix of fine quality and decorative antiques from around the world.

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LAPADA & CINOA member

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All furniture is professionally restored to the highest of standards, using traditional methods, we feel that quality restoration is paramount to the longevity of the piece.

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INSURED DELIVERY INCLUDED IN LIST PRICE WITHIN MAINLAND UK FOR A ONE MAN COURIER SERVICE

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Worldwide shipping available, please contact us for a free quote to include professional packing and fully insured services

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PLEASE NOTE: viewing is 'By Appointment' only - please contact Liza a few days in advance to arrange this.

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Payments are accepted by bank transfer or cheque

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Please contact us if any further high definition photographs are required or please visit our own website as follows where you can zoom in on the photos:

www.lvsdecorativearts.co.uk

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You can contact Liza either by email lvsdecorativearts@btinternet.com or telephone 07703306451

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Please bear in mind: antique items for sale may have some wear and marks commensurate with their age which adds to the character of the piece.

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Thank you for viewing our stock and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need any further information.

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Description

An exceptional pair of late 19th/early 20th century George II style mahogany Gainsborough open armchairs ( or library chairs) of large proportions with possibly the original upholstery.

This superb pair of chairs are copies of an original model made around 1750, examples of these models, originally probably from a larger set, can be found in The Gerstenfeld Collection (pair armchairs) sold by Christies, The Lady Lever Art Gallery (one armchair) purchased by Moss Harris June 1915 and later the same month sold to Lever for a considerably higher sum and also the V&A (stool and armchair).

The original chairs are documented in the book ‘Masterpieces of English Furniture – The Gerstenfeld Collection’ which is a Christie’s book, these chairs being described as a ‘strikingly sculptural pair of George II library armchairs, part of a larger suite of which six armchairs and a stool are now known.

“

They are the collector’s dream for one thing and one thing only – the use of the dolphin head as a decoration.

LVS Decorative Arts

Dated around 1750, these armchairs are superbly and richly carved in mahogany. Notice the quite beautiful arms, outstandingly carved with dolphin heads with scaled S-shaped supports to the tail…certainly the work of a great chair maker – carved with acanthus, C-scrolls and scaling on the front legs which terminate with dolphin heads. These chairs are very important examples...’

fig 1. Exceptional pair of late 19th century George II style mahogany Gainsborough open armchairs — fig 1. Exceptional Pair of Late 19th Century George II Style Mahogany Gainsborough Open Armchairs

This highly decorative and impressive pair of chairs date from the late 19th/early 20th century and have been finely crafted and carved to replicate the original model.

The chairs consist of a shaped and carved top rail with a carved central rocaille (shell style) decoration with carved scrolling acanthus to either side leading down to carved uprights and drop-in upholstered padded back.

fig 2. Exceptional pair of late 19th century George II style mahogany Gainsborough open armchairs — fig 2. Exceptional Pair of Late 19th Century George II Style Mahogany Gainsborough Open Armchairs

The finely carved arms consist of S-shaped dolphin scaled bodies rising from a water spout with foliate fins and acanthus carved tail with the superbly carved dolphin head forming the arm.

This leads down to the carved and moulded seat rails with drop-in padded seat leading down to a profusely carved apron to the front with carved central rocaille and foliate decoration flowing into the front cabriole legs, these being profusely carved with foliate and rocaille decoration leading down to a scaled body terminating with the dolphin head.

fig 3. Exceptional pair of late 19th century George II style mahogany Gainsborough open armchairs — fig 3. Exceptional Pair of Late 19th Century George II Style Mahogany Gainsborough Open Armchairs

The shaped and carved side rails lead down to the cabriole legs to the back with carved foliate and rocaille decoration to the top and terminating with a pointed toe.

We have left these chairs with what we believe to be the original upholstery and as can be seen there is some wear - however this can easily be changed either once purchased or please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss this further – this being an easy task for an upholsterer due to the drop-in seat and back.

fig 4. Exceptional pair of late 19th century George II style mahogany Gainsborough open armchairs — fig 4. Exceptional Pair of Late 19th Century George II Style Mahogany Gainsborough Open Armchairs

This pair of chairs are in excellent original condition for age, are of stable construction and can go straight into a home or collection – if an original pair of chairs of this model came onto the open market for sale today they would undoubtedly sell for many thousands of pounds.