ID 819741 
Lot 21  | A PAIR OF GEORGE II BLACK-JAPANNED AND PARCEL-GILT ARMCHAIRS
Estimate value
$ 120 000 – 180 000 
BY WILLIAM AND JOHN LINNELL, CIRCA 1754, THE CURRENT DECORATION CIRCA 1841 BY HARLEY AND LANGS FOR JOHN COFFEY, OVER THE ORIGINAL RED, BLUE AND YELLOW
Each with a pierced fretwork back with a stylized pagoda-form crest, the stiles decorated with pseudo Chinese characters, japanned landscapes and floral sprays, the canted pierced fretwork arms with conforming decoration flanking an over-upholstered seat covered in green and yellow silk brocatelle, and a 17th-century Italian center panel of dark brown silk velvet embroidered in silk and metallic thread made from a chasuble, on blind fretwork carved legs painted with trellising, retaining traces of the original red, blue and yellow japanning under the present decoration, minor variations in proportions, with printed and inscribed Ann and Gordon Getty Collection inventory label.
40 3/4 in. (103.5 cm.) high, 26 1/2 in. (67.3 cm.) wide, 20 1/2 in. (52.1 cm.) deep
Provenance
Supplied to Charles Somerset, 4th Duke of Beaufort (1707-1759), for the Chinese Bedroom at Badminton House, Gloucestershire (originally a set of eight).
The eight by descent to the 9th Duke of Beaufort, by whom sold, Christie's, London, 30 June 1921, lot 49.
The eight acquired from the above by Ethel, Countess Beatty (1873-1932).
Four from the set of eight by descent to her son, the Hon. Peter Beatty (1910-1949).
By descent to his nephew Michael Tree; Christie's, London, 5 December 1991, lot 252 (one pair).
Acquired by Ann and Gordon Getty from the above.
Literature
P. Macquoid, The Age of Satinwood, London, 1908, fig.13.
H. Hayward and P. Kirkham, William and John Linnell, London, 1980, figs. 1-2 f (bedroom) and plates 4-5 (chair).
The Treasure Houses of Britain: Five Hundred Years of Private Patronage and Art Collecting, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1985, cat. 368.
L. Synge, Great English Furniture, London, 1991, pp. 160-161, fig. 181.
F. Mcgill, A Curious Affair: The Fascination Between East and West, San Francisco, 2006, p. 49.
Exhibited
San Francisco, Asian Art Museum, A Curious Affair: The Fascination Between East and West, 17 June-3 September 2006.
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.
| Applied technique: | Ebonising | 
|---|---|
| Medium: | Giltwood, Wood | 
| Historical era: | Georgian period | 
| Place of origin: | Northern Europe, Europe, United Kingdom | 
| Auction house category: | Furniture and Lamps, Armchairs and chairs, Armchairs | 
| Applied technique: | Ebonising | 
|---|---|
| Medium: | Giltwood, Wood | 
| Historical era: | Georgian period | 
| Place of origin: | Northern Europe, Europe, United Kingdom | 
| Auction house category: | Furniture and Lamps, Armchairs and chairs, Armchairs | 
| Address of auction | CHRISTIE'S 20 Rockefeller Plaza 10020 New York USA | ||||||||||||||
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