A PAIR OF REGENCY GREEN JAPANNED AND PARCEL-GILT OPEN ARMCHAIRS circa 1810

each back with molded scrolled uprights with foliate carving enclosing upholstered tablets above a baluster turned and reeded cross stretcher, the square upholstered arms with anthemion and flower head carved rectangular terminals supported on winged female caryatid figures on foliate supports continuing to curved molded legs with hoof toes, the caned seats within molded seat rails with leaf-tip moldings. 

See:

M. Harris and Sons, The English Chair, 1937,

Ralph Edwards, The Shorter Dictionary of English Furniture, London, 1964, p. 162, fig. 187, from the Victoria and Albert Museum

Edward T. Joy, English Furniture 1800-1851, London, p. 74, from the Victoria and Albert Museum

Francis Collard, Regency Furniture, Woodbridge, 1985, p. 105, from the Victoria and Albert Museum

The design for these chairs is closely related to a design for 'Drawing Room Chairs in Profile' published in July 1805 and included in A Collection of Designs for Household Furniture and Interior Decoration in the Most Approved State, by George Smith, 'Upholder Extraordinary to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales', London, 1808.    

They appear to be part of a larger suite of seat furniture, part of which is recorded in the possession of the London dealers M. Harris and Sons illustrated in their publication, The English Chair, London, 1937, p. 162, pl. XCII - an armchair with a covered back, the note on page 66 stating that there were six chairs, although their form is not described. An arm chair identical to the present lot is in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (See: Francis Collard, Regency Furniture, Woodbridge, 1985, p. 105), and another in the Holburne Museum, London, which was formerly in the collection of Sir Hector Duff. Two bergeres from the suite have been sold at Sotheby's, London, one on November 20, 1981, lot 122, the other on February 22, 1991, lot 299.