FP 30
A beech single chair with leathered upholstery and
cabriole legs
George I, circa 1715
Purchased 6th March 1918 from Clifford for £12.10.0 Front feet replaced 1930; alterations to back Current research suggests that the cabriole leg, in this case of an early square form, may not have been used in England before about 1715, in spite of the fact that it was known in France from the very beginning of the century. How far it developed from the leg shape found on some Chinese furniture, particularly low tables, and how far it sprang from the reverse curved 'horsebone' leg that was fashionable in England from about 1695 to 1710 (see page 8), is unclear. There is a comparable set of six walnut and beech chairs with similar waved H-form stretchers and with needlework covers at Canons Ashby, Northants (National Trust) which were supplied by Thomas Phill in 1715. Other related chairs at the Lady Lever Art Gallery, Liverpool are also covered with chinoiserie leather and close nailed.
Painted or gilded leather for wall hangings, screens and upholstery used to be thought of as the product of certain centres on the Continent, including the Netherlands, but recent research has proved that it was also an important industry in London, where it centred on St Paul's Cathedral Churchyard from the late 17th century. Chinese designs were favoured by London tradesmen and this English chair is now thought to be covered with English painted leather. Although this was a considerable industry in the 18th century, few period chairs upholstered in this manner retain their original leather. It would appear that the leather on the Lady Lever chairs might predate the making of the chair frames, whereas in the case of the Frederick Parker chair, the 18th century leather was applied at a later date over an earlier covering which is just visible, probably using part of a screen or wall hanging. The webbing and base cloth beneath would appear to be original.
The angle of the back of the chair has probably been made more upright during the course of its history and the back-posts refaced between the back panel and seat. The covering on the back would probably have originally been fixed to the sides of the back-posts rather than to the back face, as at present. It is also likely that the beech frame was originally japanned black or grained; otherwise the chair would probably have been made of walnut.