A PAIR OF REGENCY BLACK-PAINTED AND PARCEL-GILT ARMCHAIRS

The design of these chairs, reflecting the French antique manner, was inspired by patterns published in George Smith's A Collection of Designs for Household Furniture in 1808, in his 'noble pursuit after classical originals.' The overall form derives from an 1804 design for a 'Drawing room chair' (pl.56), while the palmette-enriched lion supports feature in plate 83. A virtually identical example is illustrated in E.T. Joy, The Country Life Book of Chairs, London, 1967, pl.70. Another closely related set attributed to Gillows and supplied to Lord Montgomerie (1773-1814) for Coilsfield, Ayrshire are illustrated in S.E. Stuart, Gillows of Lancaster and London 1730-1840, Vol 1, London, 1988, p.210, pl. 186. The popularity of such foliated monopodia was originally popularised by lion chimney-piece pilasters illustrated in G. B. Piranesi's Diverse maniere d'adornare i cammini, Rome, 1769.