CHAIRS — upholstered, Regency
The vast majority of the furniture produced in the eighteenth century was restrained in design. Even the rococo extravagances made for the very wealthy had a sense of order. In the nineteenth century the mass market demand for more decorative furniture became increasingly strong but the results were not always successful.
A well-executed rosewood armchair but the splay effect of the highly decorated hairy feet is amusing rather than impressive. The long seat and high straight back make it look extremely uncomfortable.
c. 1820
The relatively heavy square section fluted legs point to a Regency date, the back is beautifully curved, the elegant little scrolls and rounded section to the back make this a very fine example of high Regency furniture at its best.
c. 1810
A Thomas Hope chair in the grand Egypto-Classic manner with animals, paw feet, wings, coronet, gilding, ebonising, stars and leaves. A Brighton Pavilion fancy which is not altogether happy in the modern home.
1810-1820
Clearly an evolution of the previous design, but while it lacks some of the subtlety, it is a solid functional attractive chair.
c. 1815
Still hairy feet but some sense of movement on the arms and legs instead of the square constipated look of the previous two examples, decorated with simple reeding and thin veneered back rails.
A rare form of Bergere chair with an unusual and uncomfortable shaped back. An extending footrest beneath the seat would add to the value.
c. 1820