57
A George III giltwood open armchair, third quarter 18th century, after a design by Gillows
1/5
Description
Property from a Private English Collection
A George III giltwood open armchair, third quarter 18th century, after a design by Gillows
in the French Louis XVI manner, the shield back on foliate-carved supports, the armrests with ram's heads at the elbows, the ribbon-carved seat rail with rosettes at the corners, the fluted legs terminating in toupie feet, with later green silk upholstery
Provenance
An East Coast Estate; Christie's, New York, 19 October 2000, lot 228;
Christie's New York, 27th October 2006, lot 129.
Literature
F. L. Hinckley, Metropolitan Furniture of the Georgian Years, New York, 1988, p. 147, fig. 234.
Catalogue note
This armchair aligns with Gillows’ 1786 design, as documented in L. Boynton, Gillow Furniture Designs 1760-1800, Royston, 1995, pl.267. Its features, such as the shield-form back, acanthus-detailed arm support, patera block, and tapering fluted legs, clearly echo the Gillows design. A set of four armchairs, one signed ‘R Gillow’ and numbered 1343, sold at Christie’s New York, 22 April 1999, lot 76, shares these elements.
This chair is unusual in featuring a carved ram's head on the armrests. The ram’s head, a prominent motif in neoclassical design during the late eighteenth century, is derived from the prized animal sacrifices in Ancient Roman culture and is also an attribute of Bacchus. A similar chair from the Irwin Untermyer Collection also has this distinctive characteristic (see Y. Hackenbroch’s book English Furniture with Some Furniture of Other Countries in the Irwin Untermyer Collection, London, 1958, pl.128 and 130).
Gillows, established in the 18th century in Lancaster, England, was a celebrated furniture firm renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship and designs. Specializing in high-quality pieces, Gillows crafted furniture that adorned the homes of the British elite and aristocracy such as the Workington Hall and Eaton Hall for the Marquess (later Duke) of Westminster.
Additional Notices & Disclaimers
Please note that Condition 12 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers (Online Only) is not applicable to this lot.
A George III giltwood open armchair, third quarter 18th century, after a design by Gillows
in the French Louis XVI manner, the shield back on foliate-carved supports, the armrests with ram's heads at the elbows, the ribbon-carved seat rail with rosettes at the corners, the fluted legs terminating in toupie feet, with later green silk upholstery
Provenance
An East Coast Estate; Christie's, New York, 19 October 2000, lot 228;
Christie's New York, 27th October 2006, lot 129.
Literature
F. L. Hinckley, Metropolitan Furniture of the Georgian Years, New York, 1988, p. 147, fig. 234.
Catalogue note
This armchair aligns with Gillows’ 1786 design, as documented in L. Boynton, Gillow Furniture Designs 1760-1800, Royston, 1995, pl.267. Its features, such as the shield-form back, acanthus-detailed arm support, patera block, and tapering fluted legs, clearly echo the Gillows design. A set of four armchairs, one signed ‘R Gillow’ and numbered 1343, sold at Christie’s New York, 22 April 1999, lot 76, shares these elements.
This chair is unusual in featuring a carved ram's head on the armrests. The ram’s head, a prominent motif in neoclassical design during the late eighteenth century, is derived from the prized animal sacrifices in Ancient Roman culture and is also an attribute of Bacchus. A similar chair from the Irwin Untermyer Collection also has this distinctive characteristic (see Y. Hackenbroch’s book English Furniture with Some Furniture of Other Countries in the Irwin Untermyer Collection, London, 1958, pl.128 and 130).
Gillows, established in the 18th century in Lancaster, England, was a celebrated furniture firm renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship and designs. Specializing in high-quality pieces, Gillows crafted furniture that adorned the homes of the British elite and aristocracy such as the Workington Hall and Eaton Hall for the Marquess (later Duke) of Westminster.
Additional Notices & Disclaimers
Please note that Condition 12 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers (Online Only) is not applicable to this lot.
Auction Details
Shipping
T&Cs & Important Info
Ask seller a question
Property from a Private English Collection
A George III giltwood open armchair, third quarter 18th century, after a design by Gillows
in the French Louis XVI manner, the shield back on foliate-carved supports, the armrests with ram's heads at the elbows, the ribbon-carved seat rail with rosettes at the corners, the fluted legs terminating in toupie feet, with later green silk upholstery
Provenance
An East Coast Estate; Christie's, New York, 19 October 2000, lot 228;
Christie's New York, 27th October 2006, lot 129.
Literature
F. L. Hinckley, Metropolitan Furniture of the Georgian Years, New York, 1988, p. 147, fig. 234.
Catalogue note
This armchair aligns with Gillows’ 1786 design, as documented in L. Boynton, Gillow Furniture Designs 1760-1800, Royston, 1995, pl.267. Its features, such as the shield-form back, acanthus-detailed arm support, patera block, and tapering fluted legs, clearly echo the Gillows design. A set of four armchairs, one signed ‘R Gillow’ and numbered 1343, sold at Christie’s New York, 22 April 1999, lot 76, shares these elements.
This chair is unusual in featuring a carved ram's head on the armrests. The ram’s head, a prominent motif in neoclassical design during the late eighteenth century, is derived from the prized animal sacrifices in Ancient Roman culture and is also an attribute of Bacchus. A similar chair from the Irwin Untermyer Collection also has this distinctive characteristic (see Y. Hackenbroch’s book English Furniture with Some Furniture of Other Countries in the Irwin Untermyer Collection, London, 1958, pl.128 and 130).
Gillows, established in the 18th century in Lancaster, England, was a celebrated furniture firm renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship and designs. Specializing in high-quality pieces, Gillows crafted furniture that adorned the homes of the British elite and aristocracy such as the Workington Hall and Eaton Hall for the Marquess (later Duke) of Westminster.
Additional Notices & Disclaimers
Please note that Condition 12 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers (Online Only) is not applicable to this lot.
A George III giltwood open armchair, third quarter 18th century, after a design by Gillows
in the French Louis XVI manner, the shield back on foliate-carved supports, the armrests with ram's heads at the elbows, the ribbon-carved seat rail with rosettes at the corners, the fluted legs terminating in toupie feet, with later green silk upholstery
Provenance
An East Coast Estate; Christie's, New York, 19 October 2000, lot 228;
Christie's New York, 27th October 2006, lot 129.
Literature
F. L. Hinckley, Metropolitan Furniture of the Georgian Years, New York, 1988, p. 147, fig. 234.
Catalogue note
This armchair aligns with Gillows’ 1786 design, as documented in L. Boynton, Gillow Furniture Designs 1760-1800, Royston, 1995, pl.267. Its features, such as the shield-form back, acanthus-detailed arm support, patera block, and tapering fluted legs, clearly echo the Gillows design. A set of four armchairs, one signed ‘R Gillow’ and numbered 1343, sold at Christie’s New York, 22 April 1999, lot 76, shares these elements.
This chair is unusual in featuring a carved ram's head on the armrests. The ram’s head, a prominent motif in neoclassical design during the late eighteenth century, is derived from the prized animal sacrifices in Ancient Roman culture and is also an attribute of Bacchus. A similar chair from the Irwin Untermyer Collection also has this distinctive characteristic (see Y. Hackenbroch’s book English Furniture with Some Furniture of Other Countries in the Irwin Untermyer Collection, London, 1958, pl.128 and 130).
Gillows, established in the 18th century in Lancaster, England, was a celebrated furniture firm renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship and designs. Specializing in high-quality pieces, Gillows crafted furniture that adorned the homes of the British elite and aristocracy such as the Workington Hall and Eaton Hall for the Marquess (later Duke) of Westminster.
Additional Notices & Disclaimers
Please note that Condition 12 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers (Online Only) is not applicable to this lot.
Classic Design: Furniture, Clocks, Silver & Ceramics
Sale Date(s)
Venue Address
34-35 New Bond Street
London
W1A 2AA
United Kingdom
General delivery information available from the auctioneer
Sotheby’s Post Sale Service teams can arrange expert delivery and convenient shipping of your property. We offer exceptional service and competitive rates whether shipping a diamond bracelet or a large piece of furniture. Fully knowledgeable on all international regulations, Sotheby's will compile a full range of services for you, including collection, packing and arranging for shipping and transit insurance worldwide. For sales in London and New York, simply provide us with your delivery address when you register for a sale. Following your purchase, we will send you a competitive and comprehensive shipping quote. For property purchased in all other salerooms, contact that office directly to arrange for the transport of your purchases.
To learn more, or if we may be of assistance contact us.
