P3 has note
| - ARMCHAIR
From the studio of Richard Cosway
About 1755
This chair appears in several portraits painted by Richard Cosway (1742-1821). It epitomises the Rococo style in English furniture. It matches an undated drawing by the carver and designer Matthias Lock. The outlines of the chair are entirely composed of curves and the legs show the fashionable, curving 'cabriole' form with naturalistically carved paw feet.
Lime and pine, carved and gilded, modern silk damask upholstery
Designed and made in London by Matthias Lock (born in London, about 1710, died there in 1765)
Bought with the aid of funds from the Brigadier Clark Bequest
Museum no. W.1-1973 [01/09/2001]
ARMCHAIR
ENGLISH; about 1760
Carved and gilt wood
Designed and carved by Matthias Lock (d.1765). This chair was at one time in the possession of the artist Richard Cosway (d.1821) and appears in three of his portraits. [pre October 2000]
This chair appears in a portrait attributed to Richard Cosway, of Elizabeth Draper (1744-1778), better known as Stern's 'Immortal Eliza'. It is one of the finest known examples of the type known as 'French chairs', designs for which were published in Chippendale's <font -u>Gentleman and Cabinetmaker's Director</font>. [pre 1980]
A highly important carved and gilt-wood rococo open armhair of asymtetrical form; the cabriole legs with hary paw feet in front and volutes at the rear, the cartouche shaped back, arms and seat rails excellently carved with acanthus scrolls, C scrolls and flame ornaments. English, circa 1760
Note:
This chair is stylistically very close to some of the so-called 'French Chairs' in Chippendale's 'Director' drawing book. The carver, in this case, has used limewood for the back and arms and pine for the legs and seat rails. The extremely high quality of the carving and the subtlety and sophistication of the design certainly does not preclude a possible attribution to the workshop of Thomas Chippendale. There is, however, no positive evidence to support this. [pre 1990] (en)
|