A superb quality mid-18th century chair of the Chippendale's 'Director' period, almost identical to the St. Giles's House dining chairs, attributable to the royal cabinet-maker William Vile.

London, circa 1750.

Why we like it

We love the virtuosic quality of its carving, its elaborate back and the gently scrolled legs - an epitome of the English rococo, formulated by Thomas Chippendale in his seminal 'Director' and promoted by the best craftsmen of the day. Great colour and patination. Reinforced seatrails.

Design

This design is not identical to any in Chippendale's Director, but draws inspiration for the stylized motifs from various plates in the publication. It incorporates the latest trend for rococo, or what Thomas Chippendale described as the 'Modern' style in his 1754 Director.

St. Giles's House Chairs

The chair displays a number of features, identical to a set of dining chairs which was commissioned by the 4th Earl of Shaftesbury (1711-1771) for the dining room of St. Giles's House in Dorset. The commission of the suite may have been intended to celebrate the Earl’s second marriage in 1759 to Mary Bouverie (1730-1804), or his appointment as Lord Lieutenant of Dorset.

Many of the chairs supplied at the St. Giles's House at that period are now generally attributed to the royal cabinet-maker William Vile (d.1767). The attribution is further supported by the superb carving, which is filigreed in the intricate manner adopted by architectural model makers.