George II mahogany chairback settee attributed to giles Grendey

Stock Code: 2237 - SOLD

Description: A superb George II mahogany chair-back settee attributed to Giles Grendey. Of double chairback form , with a carved scrolling top rail with acanthus leaf carving flowing into a tight paper scroll to each of the three vertical rail tops.

The pierced and carved splats conjoin into the top rail and are surmounted with arc of a carved shell. The arms of out-swept shape with carved scrolling acanthus leaves to the hand. The seat of tapering and drop in form, covered with an 18th century needlework. The settee is supported by three acanthus carved ball and claw cabriole legs to the front, with the frieze in between the legs with further carved floral scrolls. At the back three cabriole back legs support this fabulous and historic piece of English furniture.

Further Information: This settee belonged to Percival Griffiths whose extraordinary eye has made his collection a benchmark for connoisseurs. While the settee does not appear in any of his public auctions, other collectors such as J. S. Sykes and Frederick Poke were able to buy pieces directly from Griffiths in the 1930s, probably through their shared advisor R.W. Symonds. The settee is variously illustrated in publications in the 1920s and 1930s, in particular Symonds? The Present State of Old English Furniture and Ralph Edwards The Dictionary of English Furniture.

The scroll crest, leg profile and carved apron relates to the labelled furniture of Clerkenwell maker Giles Grendey (d. 1780) illustrated in Christopher Gilbert?s, Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture.

Condition: Excellent. Cleaning, waxing. The needlework of contemporary age however not original to the settee. The seat pad an old replacement.

Country of Origin: England

Origin/Age: English, George II, circa 1750

Provenance: The Collection of Percival D. Griffiths, Esq., Sandridgebury, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, latterly private collection New York.

Maker: Attributed to Giles Grendey

Dimensions: Height 40.50 inches (102.87cm) Width 51.00 inches (129.54cm) Depth 22.00 inches (55.88cm)

Price: £42,950