Live Auction 18844Chieveley House, Berkshire and Five Private Collections
A PAIR OF LATE LOUIS XV GILTWOOD FAUTEUILS A LA REINE
Lot 55 CHIEVELEY HOUSE, BERKSHIRE: THE PROPERTY OF MR. AND MRS. NICHOLAS STANLEY (LOTS 1 - 99)

A PAIR OF LATE LOUIS XV GILTWOOD FAUTEUILS A LA REINE

CIRCA 1770-80, PROBABLY FOR THE ENGLISH MARKET, UPHOLSTERED IN ENGLAND BY J. REYNOLDS, 1782

Closed19 March 2020

Price Realised

GBP 2,000

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A PAIR OF LATE LOUIS XV GILTWOOD FAUTEUILS A LA REINE
CIRCA 1770-80, PROBABLY FOR THE ENGLISH MARKET, UPHOLSTERED IN ENGLAND BY J. REYNOLDS, 1782
Each with channelled, arched cartouche-shaped padded back, arms and seat covered in close-nailed petit-point floral needlework with ribbon-tied posies on a tan ground, the scrolled arms above fan-headed cabriole legs and scroll feet, one chair with pencil inscription to the seat-rail 'J. Reynolds June 25 1782', regilt, with batten carrying-holes
39 ½ in. (100 cm.) high; 25 in. (63.5 cm.) wide; 20 ½ in. (52 cm.) deep

The late Lady de Trafford, Eaton Square, S.W.1; sold Christie's, London, 3 March 1994, lots 31 and/or 31A (part lot).

Specialist note


The pencil inscription is most likely that of John Reynolds, upholder, who was admitted Freeman on 17 March 1792 and may perhaps explain both the English and Continental webbing. In circa 1770, the method of importing disjointed French chair frames and declaring them at an extremely low value as 'lumber' to dodge duty at customs was widely practised. Fashionable London cabinet-makers were often encouraged by their patrons to take advantage of such loop-holes and many reputable cabinet-makers, including Thomas Chippendale and John Cobb, were caught (C. Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, V. I, London, 1978, p. 36-37). This could be further explanation for the mixture of French and English characteristics.