TWELVE MAHOGANY DINING CHAIRS FROM 'RMS MAJESTIC'

TWELVE MAHOGANY DINING CHAIRS FROM 'RMS MAJESTIC'

EARLY 20TH CENTURY AND LATER

from either the First Class or the a la carte restaurant, each inlaid with stringing, the top rail above an Empire style pierced splat, the outswept arms with flowerhead finials, the drop-in seat with later upholstery, on reeded front legs and an 'X' stretcher (12)

Provenance

By repute, the original chairs were bought by Cecil Beaton to furnish Ashcombe House, Wiltshire, that he leased from the Borley family between 1930 and 1945. Then by descent, through the Borley family who commissioned some more to be made to match and extend the run.

Catalogue Note

'RMS Majestic' was built in Germany, launched in 1914 under the name of 'SS Bismarck' and was the largest ship in the world until 'SS Normandie' was launched in 1935. She was handed to the Allies as part of the war reparations after which she was bought by the White Star Line and re-named 'RMS Majestic'.

The two restaurants on 'RMS Majestic' were distinct from each other in their location on the ship, the food served and interior decoration. By repute, the a la carte restaurant was more popular with the First Class passengers than the First Class restaurant. As the Great Depression deepened, in 1934 the a la carte restaurant was closed, the chairs removed and put into storage from where they were, by repute, purchased by Cecil Beaton.

Beaton leased Ashcombe House, Wiltshire, in 1930 from R.W. Borley, on the understanding that he would make some improvements to the house and he employed Michael Rosenauer, an Austrian architect, to oversee this work. Beaton was also a great host, holding large dinner parties with guests like Salvador Dali, Rex Whistler and Oliver Messel for which long runs of chairs would have been necessary. He also enjoyed overseas travel often crossing the Atlantic on 'RMS Majestic'. As such, he would have been well aware of the changes that led to the removal of the chairs and from where he could purchase a set.

Beaton's lease on Ashcombe House came to an end in 1945 and remained occupied by members of the Borley family until 1993. The house was sold shortly afterwards and it was during the clearance of the outbuildings that this set of chairs was discovered. They have been in the family's ownership ever since and are now coming to the market for the first time since the 1930s.

Contemporary illustrations show the seats of this style of chair being upholstered in a floral fabric with a light blue ground. Although the chairs being offered now have the seats covered in a modern fabric, the set is offered with some of the original Aubusson style seat covers which closely resemble those seen in the illustrations.

For a similar chair, see Piers Motley, Antiques and Collectables, 10th August 2020, lot 141, for a similar chair sold for £750.