Dreweatts 1759
Lot 109
A GEORGE III CARVED MAHOGANY AND NEEDLEWORK UPHOLSTERED ARMCHAIR CIRCA 1765 The back with embroidery in wool and silk on canvas, the central panel in petit point, the surrounding in gross point 100cm high, 68cm wide, 61cm deep overall Provenance: Private Collection, Wiltshire For an illustration of this chair or a remarkably similar example (including distinctive elements of carving), see Herbert Cescinksy, English Furniture of the Eighteenth Century, volume II, page 356, figure 385.A very similar set of 24 Gainsborough chairs were supplied to the Duke of Leeds, almost certainly by the Soho maker Paul Saunders (or Samuel Norman who inherited his clientele as part of a deal signed between the two men) c.1765. The chairs were eventually moved to Hornby Castle where they were photographed on multiple occasions. Pieces from the suite have appeared on the art market and one is illustrated when it was offered for sale as part of a pair by Norman Adams Ltd at the Grosvenor House Fair in 1973.Although the suite is parcel gilt and the pattern is not identical, the same fine, light proportions are evident and the serpentine front rail and finely-drawn back legs are also closely comparable. Paul Saunders was a major London cabinet maker and tapestry supplier, working in partnership with other famous makers such as William Bradshaw. He was appointed "Tapestry maker to his Majesty" in1757 and tapestries were supplied to the finest houses such as Petworth, Holkham and Alnwick Castle. Due to the firm's special interest in textiles, it is not surprising that many surviving records relating to their commissions relate to tapestries or upholstered seat furniture with Uppark being another house that was supplied with such items by the Saunders concern. It is also particularly appropriate that the current chair should have 18th century needlework upholstery of contemporary date to the chair. When Samuel Norman agreed to buy Saunders' stock in trade and goodwill in 1760, a list of the firm's previous clients appears to have been drawn up and it includes names such as the Duke of Cumberland, the Duke of Norfolk, the Duke of Northumberland, the Earl of Scarborough and Sir Orlando Bridgeman. Such a list is testament to Saunders' ability as a cabinetmaker and upholsterer of considerable skill and business acumen, and this chair is a fine example of the sort of pieces that he was able to produce.For a pair of armchairs of related period, form and incorporating needlework upholstery, see Sotheby's, New York, 16th October 2009, Important English Furniture, Lot 135 ($135,500). Please note, in addition to the notes in the printed catalogue this armchair has an additional detailed footnote regarding attribution and closely comparable chairs on our website. Condition Report: Overall there are some scratches, marks, chips, cracks and abrasions consistent with age and use. The needlework with areas worn thin with age and some sections reworked, some edges later. The plain green wool fabric has some holes. There are some repairs to the arm joints, leg/seat rail joints, the back seat rail a later replacement. There is some evidence of old worm visible to the seat rails The chair frame under the upholstery has not been inspected and cannot therefore be guaranteed in terms of originality. Please see all the additional condition report photographs through the link on the condition report email as a visual reference of condition. Condition Report Disclaimer
