Antique Corner Chairs
An exceptional set of four colonial corner chairs – British India, 1880–1930.
Exotic hardwood, carving, caning.
Dimensions: 76 × 64 × 60 cm.
British India or Ceylon.
Period: 1880–1930.
General Description:
A rare set of four corner chairs made of dense exotic wood—probably mahogany or a related Asian hardwood (such as teak or shampaka). Their form and decorative program reflect the Anglo-Saxon tradition of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, inspired by Chippendale, the neo-colonial aesthetic of British India, and the Victorian taste for exotic motifs.
The construction is unusual: these are corner chairs, used in English furniture as desk, library, or study seating. A complete set of four is particularly rare.
Marks and Authenticity:
The absence of marks, workshop labels, or factory hallmarks is typical of carpentry and cabinetmaking workshops located in the colonial territories of the British Empire (India, Burma, Ceylon, Malaysia).
The authenticity of the handcrafted work is evident in the irregularities of the carving, the vibrancy of the lines, and the natural heterogeneity of the wood.
Decoration and Style:
• The backrest is formed of three uprights, two of which are adorned with openwork carving in the "Anglo-Indian Gothic" style: interlacing patterns, scrolls, and teardrop motifs.
• The powerful, curved armrests terminate in finely hand-carved, curved scrolls.
• The seat is caned, likely partially restored, with natural aging and minor fiber loss.
• The legs are in the late Chippendale style: claw-shaped feet and carved acanthus leaves at the top, oscillating between English tradition and Indian influence.
• The turned stretchers ensure stability and decorative coherence.
The overall aesthetic evokes the Victorian imagination of the Orient, a blend of British taste and Asian craftsmanship applied to hardwoods.
Dating and Provenance
Considering all the characteristics (wood species, carving style, chair shape, caning construction), the most likely origin is: British India or Ceylon — period 1880–1930.
Such chairs were often made for English residences in the colonies, clubs, and barracks, then re-imported to the UK.
Ref: S-88
Exotic hardwood, carving, caning.
Dimensions: 76 × 64 × 60 cm.
British India or Ceylon.
Period: 1880–1930.
General Description:
A rare set of four corner chairs made of dense exotic wood—probably mahogany or a related Asian hardwood (such as teak or shampaka). Their form and decorative program reflect the Anglo-Saxon tradition of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, inspired by Chippendale, the neo-colonial aesthetic of British India, and the Victorian taste for exotic motifs.
The construction is unusual: these are corner chairs, used in English furniture as desk, library, or study seating. A complete set of four is particularly rare.
Marks and Authenticity:
The absence of marks, workshop labels, or factory hallmarks is typical of carpentry and cabinetmaking workshops located in the colonial territories of the British Empire (India, Burma, Ceylon, Malaysia).
The authenticity of the handcrafted work is evident in the irregularities of the carving, the vibrancy of the lines, and the natural heterogeneity of the wood.
Decoration and Style:
• The backrest is formed of three uprights, two of which are adorned with openwork carving in the "Anglo-Indian Gothic" style: interlacing patterns, scrolls, and teardrop motifs.
• The powerful, curved armrests terminate in finely hand-carved, curved scrolls.
• The seat is caned, likely partially restored, with natural aging and minor fiber loss.
• The legs are in the late Chippendale style: claw-shaped feet and carved acanthus leaves at the top, oscillating between English tradition and Indian influence.
• The turned stretchers ensure stability and decorative coherence.
The overall aesthetic evokes the Victorian imagination of the Orient, a blend of British taste and Asian craftsmanship applied to hardwoods.
Dating and Provenance
Considering all the characteristics (wood species, carving style, chair shape, caning construction), the most likely origin is: British India or Ceylon — period 1880–1930.
Such chairs were often made for English residences in the colonies, clubs, and barracks, then re-imported to the UK.
Ref: S-88
1 500 €
Period: 19th century
Style: English Style
Condition: Excellent condition
Material: Solid wood
Length: 64
Width: 60
Height: 76
Reference (ID): 1654068
Availability: In stock
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