7th Dec, 2017 10:00
Fine Art
An important set of six Chippendale period grey painted and parcel gilt open armchairs, each with inverted heart-shaped back, the arm rests, padded back and serpentine seat covered in floral tapestry, channelled arm terminals sweeping down and mounted above the front legs, fluted seat rails, the front rails centred by a foliate oval paterae, on fluted turned tapering legs headed by gadrooned collar and flowerhead, on turned feet, each bearing cramp cuts to the underside and single vertical splat to the backs, 91.5 x 59.5cms (36 1/4 x 23 1/2in.) wide. NB Closely resembling in design a set of twelve giltwood open armchairs attributed to Mayhew & Ince, sold by Christies, Lot 179, Sale No. 6392, 2nd May 2013. PROVENANCE Thomas Gurnell, Pitzhanger Manor, Ealing 1725-1785 His son, Jonathan Gurnell 1756-1791 His daughter, Mary Ann Armstrong (nee Gurnell) and thence by direct descent through the Armstrong Family. NOTES Thomas Gurnell was a wealthy merchant and banker, a founder partner in Gurnell, Hoare & Co. In about 1760 he purchased Pitzhanger Farm, Ealing and engaged the Architect George Dance to construct a country house for him and his family. This residence became known as Pitzhanger Manor or sometimes referred to as ''Ealing House''. It is presumed that the chairs were purchased along with other furnishings for this grand family home. The chairs are most likely made by Ince & Mayhew, who, along with Thomas Chippendale and a handful of others, were the cabinet makers of choice to the London elite of that time. Thomas's son, Jonathan (1756-1791) married Susannah Swinden, they had one daughter, Mary-Ann, who was a co-heir of her father's estate. In 1806 she married Major John Armstrong (1761-1835). The chairs have passed down from Jonathan Gurnell through the Armstrong Family to the current vendor, along with family portraits of the period by Nathaniel Dance, John Opie, Highmore and others; together with personal effects and papers relating to the Gurnell Family. Pitzhanger Manor was sold in 1800 by the Gurnell trustees to Sir John Soane, who promptly remodelled the house and, in the process, demolished much of the 1760's building.
Sold for £15,500
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Auction: Fine Art, 7th Dec, 2017
Viewing
Thu 30th Nov 10am - 4:30pm
Fri 1st Dec 10am - 4:30pm
Sat 2nd Dec 9:30am - 12.30pm
Mon 4th Dec 10am - 2pm
