Set of Ten Regency Painted 'Trafalgar' Chairs
£24,000
A rare set of ten early 19th century Regency Period lacquered and parcel gilded side chairs in the 'Trafalgar' style with sabre legs, caned seats and recent loose squab seat cushions in Rose Uniacke Onyx Velvet
England, circa 1810
Product Description
A rare set of ten early 19th century Regency Period lacquered and parcel gilded side chairs in the 'Trafalgar' style with sabre legs, caned seats and recent loose squab seat cushions in Rose Uniacke Onyx Velvet
England, circa 1810
Seat height: 42.5cm
The Royal Navy's defeat of the French and Spanish fleets at Trafalgar was the stuff of legend, in part because Lord Nelson died on the altar of victory. What followed was a paroxysm of hero worship. The cult of Nelson even penetrated the realm of Regency furnishings, the classic, clean artistry of the Grecian style providing the perfect canvas, coupled with symbolic ornamentation.
Thus, the martial posture of the legs are shaped like sabres, the splat features a patera ornament, a symbol of reverence, surrounded by stylised waves, while the top rail is carved to resemble a rope that might serve as a ship's rigging.
The first published design for this type of chair was in a trade catalogue in 1808 (the London Chair-Makers' and Carvers' Book of Prices Supplement) which used the name 'Trafalgar' chair. The form became more widely known when it was illustrated in the monthly periodical Ackermann's Repository in 1809. Ackermann described it as 'of Grecian form', but illustrated another version in 1814 when he described it as 'A Grecian parlour chair, otherwise called Trafalgar.'
England, circa 1810
Seat height: 42.5cm
The Royal Navy's defeat of the French and Spanish fleets at Trafalgar was the stuff of legend, in part because Lord Nelson died on the altar of victory. What followed was a paroxysm of hero worship. The cult of Nelson even penetrated the realm of Regency furnishings, the classic, clean artistry of the Grecian style providing the perfect canvas, coupled with symbolic ornamentation.
Thus, the martial posture of the legs are shaped like sabres, the splat features a patera ornament, a symbol of reverence, surrounded by stylised waves, while the top rail is carved to resemble a rope that might serve as a ship's rigging.
The first published design for this type of chair was in a trade catalogue in 1808 (the London Chair-Makers' and Carvers' Book of Prices Supplement) which used the name 'Trafalgar' chair. The form became more widely known when it was illustrated in the monthly periodical Ackermann's Repository in 1809. Ackermann described it as 'of Grecian form', but illustrated another version in 1814 when he described it as 'A Grecian parlour chair, otherwise called Trafalgar.'
Code:
11255
Further Information
Details & Dimensions
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H 84cm x W 46cm x D 52cm
H 33.08" x W 18.12" x D 20.48"
H 33.08" x W 18.12" x D 20.48"
