A PAIR OF WILLIAM IV MAHOGANY LIBRARY BERGERES

Reflecting the Regency and George IV classical style encouraged by the publications of Thomas Hope (1769-1831), George Smith and others, these elegant library fireside armchairs have Grecian lyre-scrolled frames evoking the poetry-diety Apollo. Related patterns for 'bergere' chairs appear in a drawing room elevation among Gillows' early 19th century watercolours for room elevations in the Victoria and Albert Museum (E.47-1952). The chairs in the watercolours have reading arms, as described in Gillows' 1813 Memorandum for the pair of related bergeres supplied to William Powlett, 2nd Baron Bolton (d. 1850), for Hackwood Park, Hampshire (sold Christie's House Sale, 20-22 April 1998, lot 55)