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367 A RARE SET OF SIX GEORGE I MAHOGANY FRAME CHAIRS, POSSIBLY IRISHthe slightly swept backs with curved scroll crest rails carved with acanthus leaves above pierced vase shape
splats, the drop in seats upholstered in embroidered silk on deep frames, with bow fronts and shaped backs,
the rails carved with central scallops and flanking acanthus leaves, raised on cabriole legs finely carved with
leaves and scrolls, the claw and ball feet unusually pierced to emphasise the claw grip
€ 30,000 - 50,000
These chairs have the extremely rare feature of pierced web claw feet. This feature is normally associated
with American furniture of the period. However, Ronald Horst’s article ‘Irish Influences on Cabinet Making
in Virginia’s Rappahannock River Basin (see C. Beckerdite (ed)), American Furniture 1957’ shows that many
Irish cabinet makers emigrated to the towns and rural districts of the coastal plain during the second and
third quarter of the 18th century. This led to Irish features becoming part of the American cabinet making
tradition.
Christie’s sold a pair of similar chairs in 1998 with pierced claw feet, described as being possibly Irish and a
set of six red walnut chairs with pierced claw feet were sold by Sothebys London, 4th May 1991, lot 51, the
property of Dame Violet Willis.