Object History
Provenance:
Sir Robert Buxton, 1st Baronet (1753-1839), at Shadwell Court in Norfolk, where located in the dining room. Thence by descent.
[…] Sotheby’s London, Important English Furniture, 29 November 2002, lot 50.
Private Collection, UK
Shadwell, Seat of the Buxton Family
Shadwell Park, the seat of the Buxton family, has a rich history that dates back to the early 18th century. The Buxton family, who were originally based at Channonz Hall, a large Elizabethan house at Tibenham near Diss, decided to build a new mansion on an estate not far away to the west, in 1727-1729, as a summer retreat.
The new mansion proved much better suited to the living patterns of the time, and the family soon abandoned Channonz Hall. The mansion was designed in the Georgian style, and it was surrounded by beautiful gardens and parkland. The Buxton family enjoyed Shadwell Park, and they continued to make improvements and additions to the property over the years.
In 1788, Sir John Soane was commissioned to make alterations to the house, and it is likely that the dining chairs were commissioned around this time. Notably, Soane’s contemporary commission for the Bank of England includes a related set of Sheraton style dining chairs.
Soane was a famous architect who was responsible for designing many notable buildings in London, including the Bank of England and the Dulwich Picture Gallery. His alterations to Shadwell Park added to its grandeur and elegance. Another extensive rebuilding campaign took place in the mid-19th century, which gave the country house its current neo-gothic appearance.
