ATTRIBUTED TO GILES GRENDEY, MID-18TH CENTURY

This model of armchair can be firmly attributed to the cabinet and chair-maker, Giles Grendey (1693-1780) of St John's Square, Clerkenwell. This attribution is based on a closely related set of mid-18th century seat furniture supplied to Gunton Park, Norfolk, and labelled with Grendey's trade label (C. Gilbert, Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture, London, 1996, p. 243, fig. 437). Furthermore, two pairs of library armchairs from 'The Ettington Park Suite', a set of armchairs of closely related design, were recently sold in these Rooms: a pair sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 4 July 2002, lot 20 (£259,960); a second pair sold anonymously [from the same vendor], Christie's, London, 10 July 2003, lot 120 (£218,050). The latter set's attribution to Grendey was further strengthened by the presence of the journeyman initial stamp 'WH', recorded on furniture attributed to Grendey. The initials are thought to refer to William House who was in Grendey's employ from 14 April 1747, suggesting that this model of chair was popular from at least the mid-1740s (G. Beard and C. Gilbert (eds.), Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840), Leeds, 1986, pp. 371-372). The 'WF' stamp found on this pair of chairs has not yet been recorded as a journeyman working in Grendey's Clerkenwell workshops. A further similarity between the present pair and with the Ettington Park Suite should be drawn: both sets feature the distinctive flowerhead at the top of the arm terminals. However, the Ettington Park Suite, and several other closely associated chairs, feature flowerheads at the top and bottom of the arm terminals - this is further discussed in the catalogue note to the entry for lot 120 in Christie's, London, Important English Furniture catalogue, 10 July 2003.