Adam's Country House Collections Day II - 10th October 2023

86 400 A RARE GEORGE III MAHOGANY FRAMED ‘EXERCISE’ CHAIR, C.1810, the rail back with scroll arm supports framing a leather sprung concertinaed seat with brass studding. 118 x 66 x 58cm The exercise chair was to the wealthy of Geor- gian society what the treadmill is to today’s. The chair allowed for mild exercise without having to take trouble with the volatile nature of the Irish and British weather. In a time when medical advancements were limited, exercise was often looked to as ‘cure-all’ treatment and was not to be ignored. Formed by several wooden boards separated by springs and enclosed by slitted leather, the chair was designed to bounce up and down when sat in, mimicking the motion of a horse in trot. For this reason, the chair fondly became known as the ‘chamber horse’, with ref- erences to such being found in contemporary writings, including Jane Austen’s ‘Sanditon’ in which the ever resourceful Lady Denham offers to rent out her late husband’s chair to anyone in need of revitalising. The exercise chair is first seen advertised in 1739 in the ‘London Daily Post and General Advertiser’ by Henry Marsh. It grew in popularity right through the 18th century and a description can be found in Thomas Sheraton’s ‘Cabinet-maker and Upholsterer’s Drawing Book’ of 1803. It can be presumed that, in addition to the health benefits, the chair also provided en - joyment as smaller versions were made for the entertainment of George III’s children. Helena Carlyle, September 2021 € 2,000 - 3,000 401 WILLIAM SADLER II (1782 - 1839) Great South Wall, Dublin Oil on board, 43 x 74.5cm € 2,000 - 4,000 399A DUTCH SCHOOL 18TH CENTURY Gamblers in the Courtyard Oil on oak panel, 41 x 31cm € 1,000 - 1,500