A very elegant and unusual set of six Regency period dining chairs in mahogany,

English, c. 1815

This design derives from the antique Grecian Klismos chairs, having distinctively curved front and back legs, favoured by Thomas Hope, possibly the most extravagant Regency designer and arts patron. This design, with unusually curved front and back legs and scrolls to back uprights, is partcularly rare and decorative.

These chairs have moulded and concave-shaped scrolled tablet backs, above the foliage-carved splats, centered by Grecian paterae, between the moulded uprights, terminating in scrolls, adorned with roundels to either side, above the over-stuffed traditionally upholstered slip-seats, covered in ochre yellow moire silk; the whole raised on double-curved channelled sabre legs at the front and outswept back supports.

The mahogany is patinated to a wonderfully faded warm mellow colour. Minor historic restorations.