Unusual George III 'Gothick' Open Armchair

An unusual George III period open armchair of slender 'Gothick' design. Covered in sumptuous John Boyd Textiles 'Milzig' silk and horsehair fabric.

Circa 1760–70.

Why we like it
We love lightweight, dainty design of this chair (as opposed to the heavier, late Regency and Victorian gothic), the sophistication of its lines and the architectural precision of its elements. The chair's perfect proportions, its front legs, fashioned as the most perfect Tuscan columns, and the trefoil-pierced crest rail, inspired by the elegant loggia of the 14th century Venitian Palazzo Ducale, suggest that it was likely designed by a gentleman-architect, possibly upon return from his Grand Tour. Items that are not merely quirky, but are of genuinely interesting, unique design, are quite rare to find. This most unusual chair exemplifies that scarce type of object, desired by the collectors and discerning interior decorators alike.

Design

This chair epitomises the refined 'Gothick' style, popularised by the antiquarian Horace Walpole (1717-97) at his Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham, and the architect James Wyatt (1746-1813), who remodelled Windsor Castle for the Prince Regent, later King George IV in the Gothic taste. Wyatt was one of the first architects to prepare designs for industrial and commercial manufacture, such as his designs for Matthew Boulton (silver and Sheffield-plate) and furniture for Gillows.

Minor historic restorations, newly reupholstered.