About This Object
An unusual set of eight Irish George II style dining chairs in walnut.
The serpentine toprails centered by acanthus husks, above finely carved and incised interlaced splats. The generously proportioned seats raised on graceful cabriole front legs, with shell carving to the knees and distinctive, realistically carved horse hooves.
Unlike other mass-produced Georgian revival chairs, this set was commissioned by Rufus Daniel Isaacs, the Viceroy of India in 1921-26, to match the original early 18th c. chairs; it stands out for its bespoke quality and superb craftsmanship.
Provenance:
1920 - Rufus Daniel Isaacs, 1st Marquess of Reading, Twyford Lodge;
1954? - Sir Reginald Louis Secondé
Literature:
Bonhams Charlottesville (USA) sale, 9 May 2015, Lot 383
Cescinsky H., English Furniture of the 18th Century, Vol. II, London 1910, pp. 37, 176
A set of nearly identical chairs, but with drop-in seats, is at Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland, England.
