Fine mahogany side chair of 'Chinese Chippendale' design
English, circa 1880.

Why we like it

A rare, exotic design from the mid-18th century, superbly handcrafted and beautifully reupholstered in celestial-blue silk damask.

Design

This model corresponds closely to both Robert Manwaring's design for a trellis-back chair from his book The Cabinet and Chair-maker's Real Friend and Companion, 1765, pl. 13, and John Linnell’s design from ‘A Miscellaneous Collection of Original Designs ... by John Linnell, Upholsterer Carver & Cabinet Maker’ from the V&A collection, no. E.104-1929. A group of chairs of this model is known, that are discussed in lenght by furniture historian Lucy Wood in her book The Upholstered Furniture in the Lady Lever Art Gallery, vol 1, pp.566-572.