CIRCA 1740

Details

A PAIR OF GEORGE II GILTWOOD ARMCHAIRS
CIRCA 1740
Each rectangular front, back, and seat covered in late nineteenth century hand-loomed crimson and gold Bevilacqua velvet, and with silk velvet damask covered arms and rear back, raised on cabriole legs with C-scrolls, scrolling foliage and a central cartouche, hairy paw feet, with printed and inscribed Ann and Gordon Getty collection label, minor variations to carving, the arms probably originally conceived to be upholstered, en suite with the subsequent lot
39 1/2 in. (100.3 cm.) high, 30 in. (76.2 cm.) wide, 30 1/2 in. (77.5 cm.) deep

Provenance

By repute (according to the Partridge invoice), formerly at 'Old Buckingham Palace', possibly referring to Buckingham House before it was acquired by George III.
Acquired from Partridge, London, by Ann and Gordon Getty in 1979.

Special Notice

Please note this lot will be moved to Christie’s Fine Art Storage Services (CFASS in Red Hook, Brooklyn) at 5pm on the last day of the sale. Lots may not be collected during the day of their move to Christie’s Fine Art Storage Services. Please consult the Lot Collection Notice for collection information. This sheet is available from the Bidder Registration staff, Purchaser Payments or the Packing Desk and will be sent with your invoice.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Elizabeth Seigel Vice President, Specialist, Head of Private and Iconic Collections

eseigel@christies.com +1 212 484 4812

Lot Essay

These impressive chairs with their robust design of grandly scaled rocaille-carved legs with hairy paw feet recall the benches supplied by Benjamin Goodison circa 1740 to the 1st Earl of Radnor for Longford Castle, although these chairs feature less overtly Palladian ornament than the Longford benches.
‌According to the Partridge invoice, one of these chairs had a label inscribed 'Old Buckingham Palace'. This presumably refers to Buckingham House, the residence of Sir Charles Sheffield (c. 1706-1774), illegitimate son of the 1st Duke of Buckingham. George III bought it from him in 1761 as a residence for Queen Charlotte when it was known as the Queen's House, but named since the late 18th century Buckingham Palace. While there is no evidence that these chairs were ever in the Royal Collection, it is possible that they descended in the Sheffield family at one of their residences such as Sutton Park in North Yorkshire or Normanby Hall in Lincolnshire.

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