Metamorphic library chair
attributed to Morgan and Sanders (fl. 1801 - 1820)
Category
Furniture
Date
1800 - 1820
Materials
Mahogany, cane and brass
Measurements
92 x 57 x 60 cm
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Blickling Hall, Norfolk
NT 354260
Summary
A mahogany metamorphic library armchair, attributed to Morgan and Sanders, English, circa 1810. With a moulded curved top rail and horizontal stretcher with scrolled arms and a caned seat on sabre legs, hinged on the front seat rail to convert into a set of library steps with four levels with velvet insets. Morgan and Sanders are recorded as working from 16-17 Catherine Street, London between 1801-1820. A partnership of Thomas Morgan and Joseph Saunders both former employees for Thomas Butler of 13-14 Catherine Street. See Geoffrey Beard and Christopher Gilbert’s ‘Dictionary of English Furniture Makers, 1660-1840 (London 1986, p. 626)’ ‘Much is known about the business of Morgan & Sanders because of their involvement with Rudolph Ackermann, print seller, art dealer and publisher of the Strand. For his monthly periodical ‘The Repository of Arts’ they supplied a succession of furniture designs, which were published between 1809 and 1815 This metamorphic armchair corresponds to a design first published in the Repository of Arts, July 1811 (vol. 11) page 40, plate 3 and captioned 'This ingenious piece of furniture is manufactured at Messrs. Morgan and Sanders's, Catherine-St. Strand' (P.Agius, Ackermann's Regency Furniture & Interiors, Marlborough, 1984, p.60, pl.29). The chair was 'considered the best and handsomest article ever yet invented, where two complete pieces of furniture are combined in one - an elegant and truly comfortable armchair and a set of library steps'.
Provenance
Part of the Lothian Collection. The hall and contents were bequeathed to the National Trust by Philip, 11th Marquess of Lothian (1882-1940).
Makers and roles
attributed to Morgan and Sanders (fl. 1801 - 1820), furniture designer and maker
References
Ackermann's Repository of arts July 1811 Plate.3, Plate 3 page 40 Beard, Geoffrey W. Dictionary of English furniture makers, 1660-1840 1986., p. 626