A GEORGE III SOLID MAHOGANY ARMCHAIR

This armchair is possibly the work of Gillows of Lancaster and London based on the distinctive outward scrolling arms, found on a giltwood chair, with straight legs of circa 1775-85, illustrated in S. Stuart, Gillows of Lancaster and London 1730-1840, Woodbridge, 2008, vol. I, p. 182, plate 148. A comparable suite of seat-furniture, similarly bearing the 'WS' stamp found on the present chair, was offered Christie's, New York, 18 October 2005, lots 556-558. Interestingly, a number of craftsmen with the initials 'WS' are recorded as workmen engaged by Gillows between 1730 and 1850 (ibid., pp. 211-302).