Stock No: 16015

A superb pair of Northern Italian hall chairs in walnut, partially ebonised, inlaid with bone. Each chair has a foliate scrollwork top rail over barley twist supports which enclose beautifully inlaid panels with a number of mythological creatures shown within an arabesque border. The inlay continues below the seat and on the stretcher, which is supporting the four foliate clasped, turned legs.

Northern Italian, possibly Milan. c.1700.

Provenance: Label reads Ex Sir George Saville Lumley, Durham Castle.

Notes:
The hall chair originated in Renaissance Italy, where the 'sgabello' chair graced the entrance hallways of grand palazzi in the 16th century. They remained popular in Italy and came to England with the Grand Tour in the 18th century.

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