The decorative pine carcass showing the wonderful original paint being hand painted and stencilled in ivory and scarlet with line decoration and spandrels, consistently timeworn with age, having a faux marble gallery back over two frieze drawers with later porcelain handles, the whole upon turned and tapering cylindrical legs and peg feet, surviving from the early Victorian period and formerly of Gwysaney Hall, North Wales.
Gwysaney Hall, North Wales.
Gwysaney is situated in wooded parkland between Mold and Northop. It has been in the same family’s possession, by descent, since at least the time of Cynric Efell (fl. 1200) who succeeded to the Lordship of Ystrad Alun on the death of his father Madog ap Maredudd, Prince of Powys, in 1160. Grade II listed, Gwysaney Hall has a colourful and well documented history and it remains one of North Wales’ finest and most historic residential houses. Links to Rhodri Mawr the King of all Wales in the 9th Century, and continuous family ownership since 1550, are just some of the highlights. The house is recorded in the Doomsday Book in the 9th Century and the present Hall as built on the current site in 1603 by Robert Davies. Perhaps Gwysaney’s most notable moment was in 1645 when the Hall was besieged and taken by Oliver Cromwell’s Roundheads: all that remains from the scars of the battle is damage to the front door caused by a cannon ball!
A very pretty example of period painted furniture from a historic residence.
The carcass has a wonderful patina, with a host of character commensurate with its age and use with the top now devoid of paint through daily wear. She remains steady, though lightweight, with the porcelain knob handles being later replacements.
By appointment only.
