Object Description
A superb quality pair of late 19th century (circa 1900) George II style sculptural mahogany Gainsborough open armchairs or library chairs.
This superb pair of chairs are very similar to an original design dating to around 1750, examples of these models originally probably from a larger set can be found in ‘The Gerstenfeld Collection’ – a pair armchairs sold by Christies, ’The Lady Lever Art Gallery’ – one armchair purchased by Moss Harris in June 1915 and later the same month sold to Lever for a considerably higher sum and also a stool and armchair in the V&A.
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 impressive pair of chairs date from the late 19th century and have been finely crafted and carved and are very similar to the original design.
The chairs consist of a serpentine shaped top rail with upholstered padded back, upholstered arms with finely carved S-shaped dolphin scaled bodies, the superbly carved dolphin head forming the arm leading down to finely carved acanthus carved tails.
This leads down to carved and moulded seat rails with drop-in upholstered seats leading down to a profusely carved shaped apron to the front with carved central rocaille and foliate decoration flowing into the front cabriole legs, these being finely and profusely carved with foliate and rocaille decoration leading down to a finely carved scaled dolphin body terminating with a dolphin head.
The shaped and carved side rails leading down to cabriole legs to the back with carved foliate and rocaille decoration to the top and terminating with a pad foot.
This pair of open armchairs are in excellent condition for age, are of stable construction and can go straight into a home or collection, the chairs are finished in a blue/greu and natural damask type fabric in excellent condition, they can of course be re-covered in your own choice of fabric once purchased – if an original pair of chairs of a similar design 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: 42.75’’ / 108.5cm
Width: 32’’ / 81.25cm
Depth: 28’’ / 71cm
Seat height: 19.5’’ / 49.5cm