Pair of George II Side Chairs attributed to Giles Grendey

PAIR OF GEORGE II CUBAN MAHOGANY SIDE CHAIRS ATTRIBUTED TO GILES GRENDEY

LONDON CIRCA 1735

Journeyman’s initials BH under rear seat rails.

Height: 39 1/4" (100cm), Width: 20 1/2" (52cm), Depth 18" (46cm) 

This superlative pair of chairs, executed in the finest Cuban mahogany, have scrolling vase shaped splats, bell shaped seats and bold cabriole front legs with shell carved knees and terminate in substantial pad feet. Each central apron has a generously carved shell motif.

The design, outstanding cabinet work, and detailing such as the single reed that outlines each back, the subtle scrolling and the profile depth of the back, all point to a leading cabinet maker of the period. As mentioned above these chairs bear a journeyman’s initials. Giles Grendey is recorded as permitting his journeymen to initial their work and his workshop is known to have produced work of this high standard during the period when these chairs were created. The masterful carved shell motif on the centre of the seat apron is also typical of Giles Grendey’s work.

Provenance:

A northern private collection and apparently acquired from Richard Godson of Godson and Coles at the Grosvenor House Exhibition in the 1990s.

Some well executed historical restoration.