Dreweatts 1759
Lot 39
A SET OF EIGHT GEORGE II WALNUT CHAIRS CIRCA 1730each shaped rectangular back with slender foliate carved surround and surmounted by a floral and foliate carved terminal, each herringbone banded vase splat above a drop in seat covered with an 18th century floral needlework panel, on acanthus carved cabriole legs joined by stretchers and terminating in carved lion paw feet103cm high, 61cm wide, 58cm deep Provenance:Purchased by the current owner from Dreweatts, Fine Furniture and Works of Art, 30th November 2016, lot 28, with the following provenance: Robert Wood Bliss (1875-1962)Acquired together with an ensuite settee by French & Company 13th June 1962, possibly after de-accession by Harvard UniversitySold by French & Co. 2nd August 1968, possibly to Mr Nelson M. DavisAcquired by the Grandmother of the present owner from Mallet Antiques in 1988. The property of the owners of the Downton Estate, Shropshire Literature:French & Company stock book ref. E-534/51228-X, held by the Getty Institute Research Library, Los Angeles, CA Loans:The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts 15th May 1963 - 2nd August 1963Maison Blanche 12th September 1963 - 2nd October 1963The Centre for Outer American Relations 11th September 1967- 4th October 1967 Robert Woods Bliss (1875-1962)R. W. Bliss, an American diplomat who later cofounded the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, Washington D.C., was educated at J. P. Hopkinson's School in Boston before attending Harvard College and gaining a B.A. in 1900. After embarking on his diplomatic career including a posting as secretary to the Governor of Puerto Rico, U.S. Consul in Venice, second secretary to the U.S. embassy in St Petersburg and secretary of the legation in Brussells, Bliss married Mildred Barnes in 1908. His Foreign service continued with successive appointments in Buenos Aires, Paris and the Hague. Together with his wife, he was instrumental in founding the American Field Ambulance Service in Paris during 1914 to which they supplied twenty three ambulances and three staff cars. In addition they opened and equipped the 'Service de Distribution Américaine', which distributed medical supplies and clothing. Whilst in Paris their circle of friends included Walter Gay, Edith Wharton and Royall Tyler. After the end of the First World War, Robert became chief of the Division of Western European Affairs at the Washington State Department in 1920 which was the same year he acquired his future home Dumbarton Oaks. He followed this with a role assisting the Secretary of State before becoming U.S. Envoy to Sweden and later U.S Ambassador to Argentina. The latter appointment occupied him for six years until his retirement from the Foreign Service in 1933. Bliss returned to the State Department during the Second World War (1942-1945) during which time he arranged a succession of important diplomatic meetings at Dumbarton Oaks in 1944 known as the 'Dumbarton Oaks Conference' whose delegates collaborated over proposals for the foundation of an organisation to maintain world peace and security. The culmination of these meetings was the 'United Nations Charter' which was adopted in San Francisco in 1945. In later life Bliss held a number of senior positions with American art institutions, museums and political organisations including the American Federation of Arts, the Smithsonian Art Commission, the Carnegie Institution and the American Foreign Service Association. He also received honorary Doctor of Law degrees from the universities at Syracuse, Harvard and Missouri. In 1954 he was among five ex-diplomats co-signing a letter of protest at Senator Joseph McCarthy's attacks on the Foreign Service. The Blisses had no children and Robert died in Washington D.C. in 1962 at the age of 86. Dumbarton OaksThe land on which the present house is situated originally formed the 'Rocks of Dumbarton' grant made by Queen Anne in 1702 to Colonel Ninian Beall. Almost a century later in 1801, William Hammond Dorsey (1764-1818) built his house and an orangery on the estate. What now constitutes the central block of the building was subsequently extended during the mid-19th century by the new owner Edward Magruder Linthicum after which the house was re-named The Oaks. In 1891 Linthicum sold the property to Henry F. Blount. The Chairs Comparative Literature:The Knight of Glin and Jame Peill, Irish Furniture, 2007 This distinctive set of George II walnut chairs exhibit an unusual combination of features which do not appear to be clearly identifiable with the work of a particular maker or regional origin. Whilst the idiosyncratic paw feet have affinities with those on a documented group of Irish tables and chairs (see Peill and Glin op. cit. pp. 106-119), the scrolls to the inside of their 'paws' are without parallel in this most recent survey of Irish furniture. Furthermore the turned and square H-shaped stretchers contrast with the more prevalent flat H-shaped stretchers found on Irish chairs of the second quarter of the 18th century. Other atypical details of the present lot's design are the herringbone bandings to the splats, the finely carved foliate mouldings surrounding the backs and the gadrooned splat shoes. Condition Report: All chairs with the marks, knocks, scratches and abrasions consistent with age and use. Old splits and chips. Some larger splits - see images. Some evidence of old worm in places throughout Some sections of replacement. The tapestry upholstered seats are in generally good order overall with just a few old repairs and later stitching. Some old repairs. Filler and dark wax used in places. Two chairs with sections of replacement timber to rear legs - see images. Most of the chairs with spliced sections of replacement to rear feet. Oak supporting corner blocks to backs of seat rails are later. Some joints with old plugged repairs - see images. The back rails with old simulated figuring to timber. All chairs are structurally sound overall. We cannot guarantee the originality of the elements of the seats beneath the upholstery.The rear legs and stretchers appear to have had a dark wash applied to them. Please refer to additional images for visual reference to condition. Condition Report Disclaimer
