A Pair of George III Elm Open Armchairs, Circa 1765

Presumably from a set of six formerly at Fineshade Abbey, Northamptonshire

Moss Harris & Sons, London

Frank Green Esq., Dulverton, Somerset

Property from the Collection of Nelson Grimaldi Seabra, Christie's New York, 22 October 2003, lot 17

Private New York Collection, thence by descent to the current owner

Moss Harris & Sons, The English Chair, London 1948, p.141 plate LXIX (one chair of this model illustrated)

An identical pair of chairs, presumably from the same set, was sold Christie's London, 28 November 2002, lot 76. The design reflects the heightened interest in Chinese taste disseminated through publications such as William Chambers' Designs of Chinese Buildings (1757) which included illustrations of chairs, tables and sofas with pierced lattice work in plates XIII and XIV. These were amalgamated with traditional English forms to create Chinese trellis-work open armchairs, and models for 'Chinese Chairs' were published in plates 26-28 of the third edition of Thomas Chippendale's Gentleman and Cabinet-maker's Director (1763), described as 'after the Chinese manner, and are very proper for a Lady's Dressing Room, especially if it is hung with India Paper.' Similar designs also appear in Plate 35 of William Ince and John Mayhew's Universal System of Household Furniture (1762) and plates 10-12 of Robert Manwaring's Cabinet and Chair-Maker's Real Friend and Companion (1765).

The Yorkshire industrialist Frank Green (1861-1954) restored and refurbished the medieval Treasurer's House of York Minster, which he donated with its contents to the National Trust in 1930. He then removed to Ashwick House, Dulverton, Somerset, which he furnished largely through the important London dealers Moss Harris & Sons.