A very fine early 19th century Regency period mahogany open armchair, of broad proportions,

English, circa 1820

Why it is special

The combination of the solid heavy quality, quintessentially Regency masculine design and rare broad proportions make this armchair an outstanding specimen of its type. Its original, hand-stitched stuffing is preserved in superb condition, along with the stylish brass edge mouldings - a rare feature only seen on super-smart top-quality pieces from the era. Now covered in historically correct, heavy quality John Boyd Textiles horsehair fabric, reproduced from period examples on hand looms in England just as it used to be 200 years ago.

The chair, with Egyptian reed-wreathed legs, is designed in the early 19th Century 'French antique' fashion promoted by the connoisseur Thomas Hope (d.1832) and popularised by R. Ackermann's Repository of Arts, 1810. The distinctive design of the present chairs was introduced by the Gillows firm in the early 19th century and dominated their production in the 1820s and 1830s.

Fine antique condition, minor restorations.