FP 226
A carved beech armchair with upholstered seat, decorated in orange and white on a black ground
George III, circa 1780 In stock 1915, valued at £7.10.0
Although this elegant chair retains rococo cabriole legs, which are echoed in the double-curved arm supports, the large carved and profilecut motif in its oval back represents an anthemion or honeysuckle flower which derives from Greek and Roman architectural ornament, as do the flower-head paterae carved on the arm terminals and the fan motifs painted at the tops of the hipped legs. This mixture of styles was quite common in Britain, surviving longer than in France, even into the 1780's.
It is its superb japanning, which has survived in almost mint condition, that is particularly outstanding. Where the discoloured surface varnish is slightly chipped, the colours beneath remain vivid. Japanning was the term used from the 17th century for various methods of imitating prized oriental lacquer in the West by using coloured varnishes. By the late 18th century it had generally come to mean no more than painted decoration. Hepplewhite writes in The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Guide that 'a new and very elegant fashion has arisen within these few years, of finishing [chairs] with painted or japanned work, which gives a rich and splendid appearance to the minuter parts of the ornaments … and by assorting the prevailing colour to the furniture and light of the room, affords opportunity to make the whole accord in harmony.'
The choice of orange and white colours on a black ground is that of Greek red-figure pottery of the 5th century B.C. The publication of Sir William Hamilton's collection of so-called 'Etruscan' vases in 1766 was very influential in spreading the neo-classical style in England. In the mid-1770's Robert Adam designed 'Etruscan' rooms at Old Derby House in London and at Osterley Park in Middlesex with furniture in this taste. The latter, which survives, was added to by Henry Clay.
Usually light-weight japanned chairs had caned seats with cushions. This example is fully upholstered, but posterity has unfortunately not dealt kindly with the choice of covering. The use of 'French' brass nails would also have been more appropriate for a more masculine chair. However the base cloth and webbing may well be original and they retain a sample of a previous covering. The chair has a craftsman's initials TW stamped under the front rail. A pair of apparently identical single chairs was sold by Christie's at Ven House, Somerset on 22 June 1999 (lot 1050).