AL Brochure Oct 2013 | Page 10

THE GRAND STAIRCASE CHAIR (AL40050) A very finely carved mahogany side chair, the serpentine leaf carved back enclosing a palm leaf carved splat, the shaped deep button upholstered seat above a carved seat-rail on tapering leaf carved legs joined by pierced stretchers. GREAT BRITISH DESIGN AND PATRONAGE Inspired by the original set of twenty four designed by John Vardy and executed by Thomas Vardy, circa 175658, for John, 1st Earl Spencer (1734-83) for the Great Eating Room at Spencer House. Amongst the most richly carved dining chairs of the 18th Century these chairs have generous scale and delicacy of design. During the 2nd Earl’s lifetime - and quite possibly because of his ever-expanding Libraries which gradually took over more and more of Spencer House - Vardy’s dining chairs were moved to Althorp. 8