Fourteen Extremely Rare & Important Fine Quality Mid 19thc Mahogany Ribband Back Chairs, the Chairs Exact Designs from Chippendale’s ‘Director’

Name: Fourteen Extremely Rare & Important Fine Quality Mid 19thc Mahogany Ribband Back Chairs, the Chairs Exact Designs from Chippendale’s ‘Director’
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA964130
Availability: SoldOut

19th century

Sold by LVS Decorative Arts

Description

Fourteen extremely rare and important fine quality mid 19thc mahogany ribband back chairs, the chairs being exact designs from Chippendale’s ‘Director’.

The fourteen chairs consist of a set of twelve mid 19th century (circa 1860) Chippendale style mahogany ribband back chairs and a pair of mid 19th century Chippendale style mahogany ribband back armchairs, all of bold proportions.

Both styles of chair being exact designs from ‘The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director’ First Edition 1754 by Thomas Chippendale (1718-1779), the drawings featured as Plate XVI in the 1754 and 1755 editions and renumbered as Plate XV in the 1762 edition.

We have undertaken considerable research on the set of twelve chairs ourselves and also used professional researchers but no photographic evidence has been found of this exact model of chair, although many similar examples can be found - this set may be the only set of chairs of this design in existence on the open market.

The set of twelve single chairs each consist of a shaped and carved top rail with foliate carved decoration of typical Rococo designs.

The finely carved central back consisting of a suspended tassel leading down to a fluid carved ribbon design with central knot and foliate decoration below, the shaped uprights with carved designs, the seats with red faux leather and brass studwork all in good condition.

The carved and shaped seat rails with foliate carving to the centre supported on carved cabriole legs to the front with acanthus carved decoration to the knee and foliate scroll foot with outswept legs to the back.

This wonderful set of twelve single chairs have been matched with a pair of armchairs also from an original design from Chippendale’s ‘Director’, the design for each of these chairs featured next to each other on the same page.

The pair of armchairs each consist of a shaped top rail and uprights with foliate decoration and central carved ribbon design with further trailing ribbon and foliate decoration.

The shaped arms and arm supports with foliate carved decoration, the red leather seats to complement the set of twelve.

The shaped and carved seat rail with foliate carving supported on carved cabriole legs to the front with acanthus carving and scroll decoration with outswept legs to the back.

Reference: a quote from the book ‘Chippendale’ by Nathanial Harris:

‘Chippendale’s most extravagant, luxurious Rococo pieces were the ‘ribband back’ chairs in which the splat was transformed into a profusion of knotted and interlaced ribbons which trailed from side to side as well as from top to bottom, linking the uprights as well as the top rail and the seat. The legs and seat rails also richly carved…clients were recommended to cover the seats with red Morocco.’ Chippendale was immensely proud of these chairs and claimed they were ’if I may speak with vanity…the best I have ever seen(or perhaps have ever been made)’.’

The fourteen chairs are all in very good condition for age, are all of stable construction and can go straight into a home or collection.

Sizes:

Armchairs:

Height: 42'' / 106.75cm

Width: 29'' / 73.75cm

Depth: 25'' / 63.5cm

Seat height: 19'' / 48.25cm

Singles:

Height: 40'' / 101.5cm

Width: 25.25'' / 64cm

Depth: 23'' / 58.5cm

Seat height: 18.5'' / 47cm

Physical Dimensions

Height

106.8cm (42.05")

Width

73.8cm (29.06")

Depth

63.5cm (25.00")

Declaration

LVS Decorative Arts has dated this piece to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA964130

Dealers Internal Reference

LVS1353

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

Fourteen extremely rare and important fine quality mid 19thc mahogany ribband back chairs, the chairs being exact designs from Chippendale’s ‘Director’.

The fourteen chairs consist of a set of twelve mid 19th century (circa 1860) Chippendale style mahogany ribband back chairs and a pair of mid 19th century Chippendale style mahogany ribband back armchairs, all of bold proportions.

fig 1. Fourteen extremely rare & important fine quality mid 19thc mahogany ribband back chairs, the chairs exact designs from Chippendale’s ‘Director’ — fig 1. Fourteen Extremely Rare & Important Fine Quality Mid 19thc Mahogany Ribband Back Chairs, the Chairs Exact Designs from Chippendale’s ‘Director’

Both styles of chair being exact designs from ‘The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director’ First Edition 1754 by Thomas Chippendale (1718-1779), the drawings featured as Plate XVI in the 1754 and 1755 editions and renumbered as Plate XV in the 1762 edition.

fig 2. Fourteen extremely rare & important fine quality mid 19thc mahogany ribband back chairs, the chairs exact designs from Chippendale’s ‘Director’ — fig 2. Fourteen Extremely Rare & Important Fine Quality Mid 19thc Mahogany Ribband Back Chairs, the Chairs Exact Designs from Chippendale’s ‘Director’

We have undertaken considerable research on the set of twelve chairs ourselves and also used professional researchers but no photographic evidence has been found of this exact model of chair, although many similar examples can be found - this set may be the only set of chairs of this design in existence on the open market.

“

The set of twelve single chairs each consist of a shaped and carved top rail with foliate carved decoration of typical Rococo designs.

LVS Decorative Arts

fig 3. Fourteen extremely rare & important fine quality mid 19thc mahogany ribband back chairs, the chairs exact designs from Chippendale’s ‘Director’ — fig 3. Fourteen Extremely Rare & Important Fine Quality Mid 19thc Mahogany Ribband Back Chairs, the Chairs Exact Designs from Chippendale’s ‘Director’

The finely carved central back consisting of a suspended tassel leading down to a fluid carved ribbon design with central knot and foliate decoration below, the shaped uprights with carved designs, the seats with red faux leather and brass studwork all in good condition.

fig 4. Fourteen extremely rare & important fine quality mid 19thc mahogany ribband back chairs, the chairs exact designs from Chippendale’s ‘Director’ — fig 4. Fourteen Extremely Rare & Important Fine Quality Mid 19thc Mahogany Ribband Back Chairs, the Chairs Exact Designs from Chippendale’s ‘Director’

The carved and shaped seat rails with foliate carving to the centre supported on carved cabriole legs to the front with acanthus carved decoration to the knee and foliate scroll foot with outswept legs to the back.

fig 5. Fourteen extremely rare & important fine quality mid 19thc mahogany ribband back chairs, the chairs exact designs from Chippendale’s ‘Director’ — fig 5. Fourteen Extremely Rare & Important Fine Quality Mid 19thc Mahogany Ribband Back Chairs, the Chairs Exact Designs from Chippendale’s ‘Director’

This wonderful set of twelve single chairs have been matched with a pair of armchairs also from an original design from Chippendale’s ‘Director’, the design for each of these chairs featured next to each other on the same page.

fig 6. Fourteen extremely rare & important fine quality mid 19thc mahogany ribband back chairs, the chairs exact designs from Chippendale’s ‘Director’ — fig 6. Fourteen Extremely Rare & Important Fine Quality Mid 19thc Mahogany Ribband Back Chairs, the Chairs Exact Designs from Chippendale’s ‘Director’

The pair of armchairs each consist of a shaped top rail and uprights with foliate decoration and central carved ribbon design with further trailing ribbon and foliate decoration.

The shaped arms and arm supports with foliate carved decoration, the red leather seats to complement the set of twelve.

fig 7. Fourteen extremely rare & important fine quality mid 19thc mahogany ribband back chairs, the chairs exact designs from Chippendale’s ‘Director’ — fig 7. Fourteen Extremely Rare & Important Fine Quality Mid 19thc Mahogany Ribband Back Chairs, the Chairs Exact Designs from Chippendale’s ‘Director’

The shaped and carved seat rail with foliate carving supported on carved cabriole legs to the front with acanthus carving and scroll decoration with outswept legs to the back.

Reference: a quote from the book ‘Chippendale’ by Nathanial Harris:

fig 8. Fourteen extremely rare & important fine quality mid 19thc mahogany ribband back chairs, the chairs exact designs from Chippendale’s ‘Director’ — fig 8. Fourteen Extremely Rare & Important Fine Quality Mid 19thc Mahogany Ribband Back Chairs, the Chairs Exact Designs from Chippendale’s ‘Director’

‘Chippendale’s most extravagant, luxurious Rococo pieces were the ‘ribband back’ chairs in which the splat was transformed into a profusion of knotted and interlaced ribbons which trailed from side to side as well as from top to bottom, linking the uprights as well as the top rail and the seat. The legs and seat rails also richly carved…clients were recommended to cover the seats with red Morocco.’ Chippendale was immensely proud of these chairs and claimed they were ’if I may speak with vanity…the best I have ever seen(or perhaps have ever been made)’.’