A pair of early George III mahogany Gainsborough armchairs
English, circa 1760

A fine pair of early George III Gainsborough armchairs in well-carved mahogany of excellent colour and patina. Each has a broad upholstered back with a gently serpentine top, padded arms and a generous seat, covered in gold silk damask with brass nail borders. The moulded and carved arm supports curve outwards from scrolled terminals before sweeping down to the seat rails. The front cabriole legs are carved with acanthus leaves at the knees and terminate in scroll toes above hexagonal blocks fitted with recessed castors. The rear legs are swept backwards.

The chairs reflect the fashionable Rococo designs of Thomas Chippendale, particularly in the flowing profiles of the arm supports and the acanthus carving of the legs. Their design bears comparison with his drawings for seat furniture in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.