Misha Sylver
Administrator
Sold for US$12,112.50 inc. premium
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Provenance
'The Chair', Christie's, King Street, London, 9 November, 2000
Private Collection, Pennsylvania
Literature
Susan Weber Soros, 'E.W. Godwin: Aesthetic Movement Architect and Designer', Yale University Press, 1999, p. 228-29
The present works were conceived for Godwin's first major architectural commission, Northampton Town Hall, 1863-65. According to Susan Soros the chairs green upholstery reflected the influence of Pugin and his designs for the House of Lords, whereas the chair's form itself derives from furniture forms from the ancient and medieval world. The chairs were designed for use in the Town Hall's Council Chamber.
Initially twenty-four chairs were created. A second group was made in 1891-92 by Matthew Holding and A.W. Jeffry of Pratts, Bradford. The later version differed from that of first production by Greene and King in the length of the back support and in elements of the seats construction.