A George III Mahogany & Leather Gainsborough Armchair c.1800

Origin: English
Period: George III
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1800
Height: 35.5” or 18” at seat
Width: 28”
Depth: 26”

The George III period mahogany and tan leather Gainsborough armchair having a low square back above a sprung seat and low enclosed arms, covered in tan leather with brass stud trim, raised on square tapered legs and joined by stretchers and surviving from the first quarter of the nineteenth century.

The chair is lovely original untouched order making it hugely appealing. The leather is of a good vintage and we have refrained from cleaning it, now showing a huge amount of character with one small tear to the seat corner as photographed. It could obviously be extensively cleaned and nourished and would look very much different. The frame is in good order throughout with only minor scuffs and a good patina and colour. The feet have been re-tipped historically at some stage.

A Gainsborough armchair is a wide, high-backed, upholstered armchair that originated in England in the 18th century. The term comes from the name of the British painter Thomas Gainsborough, who used the chair for sitters to pose for portraits. Gainsborough armchairs were often used in libraries and are often documented in inventories of the time. They are comfortable and suitable for living rooms or libraries. 

Strike a pose.