Printed from Woolley & Wallis

Description

A GEORGE II MAHOGANY LIBRARY ARMCHAIR

ATTRIBUTED TO PAUL SAUNDERS, C.1755-60

the padded arched back, serpentine seat and armrests covered in damask fabric, with outscrolling arms carved with acanthus leaves, with a cabled edge and with shell terminals, the frieze with a lattice ground carved with Rococo 'C' scrolls, shells and leaves, on shell capped cabriole front legs terminating in scrolled toes, on later brass castors

101.8cm high, 70.5cm wide, 67.2cm deep

Provenance

Dreweatt Neate, 22nd March 1995, lot 87.

From the collection of the late Dr. Gordon Pack.

Catalogue Note

This chair is conceived in the fashionable French style of the mid-18th century which was popularised by Thomas Chippendale in 'The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director' published in 1754. The present lot bears similarities to a suite of furniture previously in the collection of Sir John Ward of Dudley House attributed to William Bradshaw or his partner Paul Saunders.

Paul Saunders was one of the most important suppliers of upholstered furniture of the 1750s and 1760s. He was based around Carlisle House, Soho Square and 59 Greek Street and established a large workshop. He worked for many high profile clients, including 1st Earl of Leicester and the Earl and Countess of Egremont.

See Christie's New York, 11th June 2010, lot 428 for a similar pair of armchairs.