A George III Adam Period Mahogany Open Armchair
Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection
Today we are sharing a marvellous specimen chair: the quality of the carving is quite magnificent, and the mahogany is of the most wonderful colour. The distinctive carving of the anthemion, or honeysuckle, on the back splat is a hallmark of the neo-classical movement that was used by Robert Adam, James Wyatt, and other notable designers of the period.
A George III Adam Period Mahogany Open Armchair
Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection
The chair features an arched crest rail and is centred by a beaded rosette and with husk swags. The prominent pierced and anthemion-carved splat stands above a serpentine silk-upholstered padded seat, flanked by out-curving moulded and foliate-carved arms. The chair features a carved serpentine antique-fluted and beaded seat-rail centred by a floral patera and is raised on fluted tapering legs with foliate and shaped feet.
A George III Adam Period Mahogany Open Armchair
Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection
This chair relates to a palm-flowered splat on a chair at the Victoria & Albert Museum, acquired in 1907, attributed to William and John Linnell of Berkeley Square (R. Edwards, A History of the English Chair, London, 1951, no. 93 and M. Tomlin, Catalogue of Adam Period Furniture, London, 1982, Q/2, inv. no. 503-1907).
A George III Adam Period Mahogany Open Armchair
Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection
Further comparisons can be made between the present chair and seat furniture supplied by Mayhew and Ince for the 3rd Earl of Darnley, for Cobham Hall, Kent.
