Research:
Of mahogany. The rectangular open latticework back with re-entrant corners and double pagoda-shaped crest rail, with conforming openwork arms, above a removable caned seat, the whole raised on square-cut legs with arched corner brackets. Minor repairs.
Provenance:
Mr. and The Hon. Mrs. Basil Ionides, Buxted Park, Sussex.
Illustrated:
Christopher Hussey, “Buxted Park – I” Country Life, August 4, 1950, p. 377-378.
Christopher Hussey, “Buxted Park – III” Country Life, August 18, 1950, p. 521.
The present chairs were formerly at Buxted Park (also referred to as Buxted Hall), Sussex, where they adorned the Garden Room. The house was originally built in circa 1725 by Thomas Medley and passed to the 3rd Earl of Leicester in the early nineteenth century. Over the years Buxted was host to such important dignitaries and visitors as Queen Victoria, King George V and Queen Mary, William Wordsworth and Winston Churchill.
While the present pieces broadly derive from the tradition of ‘Chinese Chippendale’ chairs created in England in the middle of the eighteenth century, this design, with its chic geometry, is remarkable for being a pared down version of this taste. It is interesting to note that the designer of these chairs has opted to use the authentic Chinese conceit of detachable drop-in caned seats.
Full research report available on request.