Set of Six Regency Klismos Dining Chairs, attributed to Gillows

A very fine and elegant set of six mahogany 'Klismos' dining chairs of the Regency period, attributable to Gillows of Lancaster and London,

England, circa 1805.

Why we like them

These superb quality, wonderfully stylish Klismos chairs, embellished with ebonised-inlaid Greek key patterns correspond exactly to a 1805 design by Gillows of Lancaster and London. It is a particularly fine and rare design, executed in the finest solid Spanish mahogany that is beautifully faded to a mellow colour and has a glorious natural patina. Slightly larger in scale than usual Regency dining chairs, these super smart chairs will be a very chic addition to an eclectic or modern interior.

Attribution

This set of Regency mahogany and ebony dining-chairs corresponds to a drawing in Gillows' Estimate Sketch Book for 22 July 1805. They are designed in the fashionable Greek revival style promoted by Thomas Hope in his ‘A Collection of Designs for Household Furniture and Interior Decoration' (1807). Hope’s designs were highly influential and inspired the work of other architect / furniture designers including George Smith whose published work comprised designs for drawing room chair profiles related to the present example (C. V. Hershey, George Smith's Collection of Designs for Household Furniture and Interior Decoration, London, 1970, pl. 55). A virtually identical set of eighteen dining-chairs from the collection of the Earls of Lonsdale at Lowther Castle, Westmorland, sold Christie’s, London, 20 September 2001, lot 171 (£37,600).

For another identical set, see Christie's, London, 19 November 2015, lot 356 (£40,000).

A further closely related set was sold Sotheby's London, 3 July 2012, lot 223 (£30,000).