George II Giltwood Sofa on Lion Mask Hairy Paw Feet Possibly by Giles Grendey

This exceptionally well drawn and important 18th Century (circa 1740) English antique settee is of the finest quality made from solid walnut which has been gilt. It is of camel back shape with deep, out-scrolling arm supports decorated with giltwood scrolling foliage. The seat rails with fine egg-moulded apron running between the bold lion mask knees and hairy paw feet connected by finely-shaped cabriole legs. In fine condition the giltwood of the sofa has been cleaned and refreshed showing signs of period gilt work beneath the surface, having been re-upholstered it is now ready for is finishing material. Although of a form often called "Kentian" in the trade due to the formative influence of the designs of William Kent, this piece also incorporates some very early rococo features. The carved detail on the front faces of the arm supports incorporate some rocaille detailing and the way that foliage is carved is extremely naturalistic and very different to the stiff depictions of flora encountered on the pieces directly related to Kent and his commissions. The settee relates very closely to a pair of settees sold from the S. Vernon Mann collection at the American Art Galleries on the 29th and 30th of January 1932. These settees were made for Wentworth Castle, one of the most important houses in the 18th century but sadly tragically under-recorded. Very few interior photographs of the castle before the last of the contents were sold in 1948 remain in the public domain. As can be seen from a close comparison of the Wentworth Castle settees to our piece the lion masks are clearly in the same distinct style, as are the large scale carving along the front and side seat rails and the ear pieces joining the masks to the rails. There is a possibility, therefore, that this settee was once part of the suite at Wentworth Castle as well. As far as the maker of the piece is concerned, there are two related suites of furniture at Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire, supplied in c.1740, with details which relate to our piece. A suite of side chairs are attributed to the great Giles Grendey and certainly the fine proportions and exceptional carving on our settee could have been produced by that maker, along with the fact our settee was carved from walnut. Perhaps even more intriguing, however, is another giltwood settee and side chair suite at Kedleston by the London maker William Bradshaw. The lion masks on this suite, which was originally veneered but gilded slightly later in the 18th century, are certainly of comparable form and the carving of comparable quality once again. This is an outstanding and important piece of 18th century furniture that would enhance any fine collection.