Reading chair
manner of Morgan and Sanders (fl. 1801 - 1820)
Category
Furniture
Date
circa 1815
Materials
Mahogany, brass, leather
Measurements
82 x 58 x 60 cm
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Belton House, Lincolnshire
NT 434803
Summary
A mahogany and brass mounted library reading chair, in the manner of Morgan & Saunders, London, circa 1815. With a horseshoe shaped back and sliding adjustable reading stand, moving horizontally between two brass bands, the book rest also adjustable by angle. With a pierced slatted back and lobed leather-covered seat on tapering reeded front legs and square section splayed back legs, brass socket castors. Probably originally fitted with a pair of adjustable candle sconces.
Full description
A design for this type of library chair appeared in Ackermann's Repository (September 1810, pl. 15, p. 182). The design was copied by several other furniture makers including Gillow & Co. and Taprell Holland & Son. 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. James Weedon (November 2018)
Provenance
Possibly supplied by Morgan and Saunders or possibly Gillow & Co. London for Belton House circa 1815. Acquired by purchase from Lord Brownlow with grants from the National Heritage Memorial Fund in January 1984.
Makers and roles
manner of Morgan and Sanders (fl. 1801 - 1820), furniture designer and maker
References
Beard, Geoffrey W. Dictionary of English furniture makers, 1660-1840 1986. Ackermann's Repository of arts July 1811 Plate.3