Bonhams 1793 : A pair of Anglo-Dutch carved walnut caned back side chairs probably late 17th century

probably late 17th century
The pierced acanthus and scroll carved crestings above caned backs within moulded frames with curved central splats, above stuff over seats on pierced scroll and shell carved aprons, with cabriole acanthus carved legs and hoof feet, joined by moulded serpentine 'H' stretchers. (2)

Sold for £8,750 inc. premium

Footnotes

Provenance: Colonel H. H. Mulliner, Christies, 10 July 1924, lot 134.illus.
Purchased by Sir Harold Wernher at the above sale, then purchased by the current owner, Sotheby's, London, 'Furniture, Silver, Paintings & Works of Art from the Collection of the late Sir Harold Wernher, Bt., G.C.V.O.', 24 & 25 May 1995, lot 3.

The Mulliner sale was one of the most important of the interwar period, where Sir Harold bought several lots. After the war the chairs were placed in the Entrance Hall at No. 15 Grosvenor Square, later moved to the head of the principal staircase at Luton Hoo.

Literature:
H.H. Mulliner, The Decorative Arts in England during the late XVIIth and XVIIIth Centuries, 1923, Chap.1.fig.3;

Inventory of Furniture Pictures and Effects, The Property of Major General Sir H.A.Wernher, K.C.V.O., 15 Grosvenor Square, London W1, April 1947, p.1 (Wernher Archives);

'No 15 Grosvenor Square, London, The Mayfair Flat of Sir Harold Wernher.Bt., and Lady Zia Wernher', The Antique Collector, December 1960, p.208, illus.