A RARE PAIR OF ANGLO-CHINESE EXPORT PADOUK ARMCHAIRS

A RARE PAIR OF ANGLO-CHINESE EXPORT PADOUK ARMCHAIRS

IN IRISH STYLE, MID-18TH CENTURY

each with a scroll top rail above a pierced and interlaced splat back carved with bird's heads, with a drop-in seat, on leaf and rosette carved cabriole front legs and claw and ball feet (2)

Literature

See Carl L. Crossman, The Decorative Arts of the China Trade, pp.220-234.

Catalogue Note

This fine pair of armchairs were constructed in China, probably Canton or Macau for an English client possibly an East India Company official. They are based on an English prototype but constructed in an entirely Chinese way. Interestingly the design of the interlaced splat, with scrolls terminating in eagle's heads relates to examples of Irish origin, see The Knight of Glin and James Peill, Irish Furniture, p.213, figs. 38 & 39.