X-frame armchair
manner of Thomas Hope (1769-1831)
Category
Furniture
Date
circa 1810
Materials
Mahogany and cane
Measurements
89 x 47 x 45 cm
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Ickworth, Suffolk
NT 850115
Summary
A pair of mahogany and cane X frame armchairs, English, after a design by Thomas Hope, circa 1810 The rectangular caned back and seat within a reeded frame, the front X frame centered by a gadrooned roundel. The legs tied by turned stretchers and raised on ball feet. One chair stamped with a ‘G’ to the back rail.
Full description
This chair, taken from designs of the ancient Roman curule chairs, reflects the work of the pre-eminent designer Thomas Hope in the early 19th century. Hope was greatly influenced by his extensive Grand Tour travels across Europe as well as Greece, Turkey and Egypt. Hope’s Duchess Street home became the showcase for his vision of antiquity across different cultures, incorporating Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Indian elements. Hope officially opened his home in 1802 to visitors, and the Prince of Wales made an appearance at the grand opening. Hope went on to publish his designs in 1807 with full measurements as a way to encourage accurate imitation of his work rather than the lesser copies that were being produced by his contemporaries. His publication Household Furniture and Interior Decoration was notable for the manner in which it represented furniture designs in outline only, eliminating any sense of depth, shadow, or stylistic contrasts. Hope’s decision to depict his designs in this way reflects his fundamental allegiance to the Neo-classical aesthetic. See Hope, Thomas - Household Furniture and Interior Decoration,1807 plate 20 for comparable design features. (James Weedon 2017)
Marks and inscriptions
'G' under one chair.
Makers and roles
manner of Thomas Hope (1769-1831), furniture designer
References
Hope, Thomas - Household Furniture and Interior Decoration 1807, plate 20