SET OF SIX EBONY INLAID CARVED MAHOGANY KLISMOS DINING CHAIRS
Philadelphia 1815-1825
The crest rail inlayed with flame mahogany veneer framed with ebony stringing above a carved stay rail above an upholstered slip seat continuing to saber legs.
Condition: Excellent: Seat frames with modern horsehair upholstery.
H: 33” W: 19” D: 21½” each
The relatedness of these carved mahogany Klismos dining chairs to the designs of England’s greatest Regency cabinetmaker, George Bullock, as found in the Wilkinson Tracings (p.5) and to a set of chairs from Tew Park, attributed to Bullock, suggests that Bullock’s work was known to at least one Philadelphia cabinet maker and possibly many.[1] This hypothesis is supported by the fact that Joseph Barry (1760-1838), among Philadelphia’s best cabinetmakers, is known to have traveled to London and Liverpool on a buying trip in 1811 where it is likely that he become aware of Bullock and may have bought from him.[2] This distinctive stay rail design and the protruding knee of the leg are typical of Philadelphia Klismos chairs prior to 1825. A related side chair is in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
S-S-BBO-1812271
[1] Pictured in John Murray’s George Bullock, Cabinet Maker (H. Blairman & Sons, London, 1988) p.90
[2] see: Donald L. Fennimore and Robert T. Trump “Joseph B. Barry, Philadelphia Cabinetmaker” The Magazine ANTIQUES, May 1989, p. 1215).