Duke of Montrose Hall Chair by Gillows

A superb late 18th Century George III period hall chair with solid seat and armorial device decorated back, by Gillows of Lancaster and London. England, circa 1790. A set of six identical chairs were supplied by the Gillow firm to John Christian Curwen (1756-1828) of Workington Hall, Cumbria. 

Provenance

The back is decorated with the crest of James Graham, 3rd Duke of Montrose (1755–1836). On 24 July 1790, he married Lady Caroline Montagu, daughter of George Montagu, 4th Duke of Manchester, and Elizabeth Montagu, Duchess of Manchester. A few months later, following his succession to the dukedom upon his father’s death on 23 September 1790, Graham embarked on an extensive renovation of his country seat, Buchanan Castle in Stirlingshire, employing the renowned Scottish architect James Playfair (1755–1794). His London residence was at 25 (later 28) Grosvenor Square, where he lived from 1786 until his death in 1836. It is therefore extremely likely that the set of hall chairs, of which this chair forms part, was commissioned by Graham around 1790 for either Buchanan Castle or 25 Grosvenor Square.

James Graham, 3rd Duke of Montrose was a British statesman and held a number of offices: he served as a Lord of the Treasury from 1783 to 1789, and as co-Paymaster of the Forces from 1789 to 1791. He was appointed a Privy Counsellor and Vice-President of the Board of Trade in 1789. He was Master of the Horse from 1790 to 1795, and from 1807 to 1821, Commissioner for India from 1791 to 1803, Lord Justice General of Scotland from 1795 to 1836, President of the Board of Trade from 1804 to 1806, Lord Chamberlain from 1821 to 1827 and from 1828 to 1830.

Why we like it

We love its elegant design, superb quality and craftsmanship, as well as an amazingly wel preserved, untouched condition.

A set of six identical hall chairs made for John Christian Curwen were sold Bonhams, London, 13 June 2012, lot 72. Several chairs were inscribed in pencil with the signature of 'J. Hardy' and one has the date ' 3 Sept. 1799' inscribed under the seat.

These were made to a design drawn in the Estimate Sketch Book in 1797, first made for Lady Gardner [344/97, p.1331, 30 March, 1797], 

Dimensions

Width: 50 cm / 19.75”
Depth: 50 cm / 19.75”
Height: 99 cm / 39”

Seat Height: 45 cm / 17.75”

Condition

Ready for placement and immediate use. Fine antique condition, great colour and patination.