Footnotes

A very similar walnut armchair to the offered lot, formerly with Mallett, is illustrated in A. Bowett, Early Georgian Furniture, 1715-1740, 2009, Woodbridge, pl. 4:91, pp.'s 188-189. Another close comparable, which previously formed part of the collection of Sir George Leon, Bt., appears in R. Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, Vol. I, the revised and enlarged edition, 2000, New York, fig. 100, p. 259. A further related version, albeit with an inlaid walnut back as opposed to an upholstered one, features in R. W. Symonds, English Furniture, From Charles II to George II, 1980, Woodbridge, fig. 90, p. 119.

Although all of the aforementioned have similar shaped backs, 'shepherd's crook' type arms, oval seats and turned tapering front legs to the present example, it is notable that the latter incorporates a more interesting and idiosyncratic stretcher design than appears on any of the others. The above model has the charming naturalistic element of a scrolled 'folding-over' leafy branch carved in high relief to the centre of its stretcher.

However, this same model of lotus leaf carving is also a prominent aspect on the stretchers of a pair of George I armchairs which sold Christie's, New York, 13 April 2000, Important English Furniture, lot 25. The unusual and distinctive leaf ornament on these stretchers is derived from contemporary 'Indian' or Japanese and Chinese lacquer cabinets-on-stands. Another armchair possessing this intriguing characteristic sold Christie's, New York, 21 October 1999, lot 20. Also, a stool from the collection of Marjorie Wiggin Prescott, along with another pair of related chairs in a private American collection, feature similar leaf-carved stretchers.

Nonetheless, perhaps one of the most wonderful elements of the offered lot is the beautiful associated needlework used to upholster its back and seat, which appears to be English work that dates to the second quarter of the 18th century.