Metamorphic Leather Library Armchair Steps attributed to Gillows, 1810s

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This is a large and collectable fully restored Regency circa 1810-1820 metamorphic armchair which converts into Library steps attributed to … Read more This is a large and collectable fully restored Regency circa 1810-1820 metamorphic armchair which converts into Library steps attributed to Gillows of Lancaster and London This wonderful piece of English history has been on a journey of restoration, the frame has been washed back and French polished by a Victorian trained polisher, the leather upholstery is all new, it is Italian cattle hide, upholstered plain then hand dyed six times, antiqued and sealed, it has a lovely rich reddish brown colour to it. This chair is larger than any other of its type you would have seen, it is an important and extremely expensive looking thing that commands attention in any setting. You can see the same model made by Gillows currently viewed in the Victorian & Albert Museum, below is an extra from their listing. The period 1800-1825 was a great one for ‘patent’ or ‘metamorphic’ furniture This chair, which transforms into a short set of steps for use with bookshelves, is close to a design for a ‘Library Chair’ published in Rudolph Ackermann’s Repository of the Arts in July 1811, which was made by the London firm of Morgan and Saunders, of Catherine Street, Strand. They were well known for their ingenious furniture, including reading chairs with writing surfaces attached and a great variety of travelling beds that could pack down into boxes. This chair, however must date from at least twenty years after the design was first published. The form of the chair, which revives a design of the early 18th century, is based on a design for an armchair created by the firm of Gillows of Lancaster in 1827. It is stamped by its maker ‘H. Howse’ and ‘H.H.’ but that maker has not yet been identified.

Condition wise as mentioned it is fully restored, there will be some age and use related patina marks here and there but it is gallery ready.

Armchair dimensions Height:- 91.5cm Width:- 61.5cm Depth:- 65.5cm Seat height:- 51cm Steps dimensions Height:- 73.5cm Width:- 61.5cm Depth:- 108cm Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point. See less