A Regency Period Klismos Armchair

Object Description

A Regency Period Klismos Armchair
In the manner of Thomas Hope

Carved from oak, with the typical Klismos construction having sabre back legs, the tapering front legs turned and reeded with baluster capitals; the swooping and curved studded toprail above a scrolling anthemion-carved crossbar; the straight armrests with applied anthemion terminals held by distinctive leopard head supports flanking the caned seat.
English, circa 1815

A seemingly identical armchair can be seen at Ickworth House, acquired by the National Trust in 1956 in lieu of inheritance tax. Another variant appeared on the market, with Temple Williams Ltd, sold circa 1956 to Wilfrid Evill.

Object History

[Possibly] from the Collection of the Marquess of Bristol, at Ickworth House, Suffolk.

Bristol Collection dispersed in 1956, […], Private Collection, UK.

Object Literature

Comparative Literature:

Joy, Edward Thomas. English Furniture 1800-1851. London: Ward Lock, 1977, pp. 58 & 83.

Hope, Thomas. Household Furniture and Interior Decoration. Executed from the Designs by T. Hope, 1807, pls. 11 & 19.

Smith, George. A Collection of Designs for Household Furniture and Interior Decoration: In the Most Approved and Elegant Taste … with Various Designs for Rooms. London: J. Taylor, 1808, pl. 42.

Object Details