Pair of English 20th Century Painted Regency Gothic Style Chairs

This utterly stunning and dramatic highly decorative pair of painted chairs with leather seats demonstrate everything about the distinctive architectural influence of the Grade 1 listed former royal residence of George IV, the Royal Pavilion(1) in Brighton, East Sussex, UK and the furniture styles of the Gothic Revival(2). The Regency period brings that special touch of elegance and a light and airy feel and the Gothic Revival brings the wonderful high topped backs, soaring heavenward above the sitter’s head to the heavily detailed turned wooden legs that support it and the arched/onion dome shapes on the apron skirt drawing everything in together by mirroring the top of the chairs. The foliate detail of the contour of the quatrefoil, a four petal flower design is incorporated into the wooden back of the chair. Those familiar with the Royal Pavilion, also known as Brighton Pavilion, will see in their mind’s eye the domes and minarets of the exterior inspired by Oriental scenery and influenced by Indian, Mughal and Moorish styles. The Pavilion was built for the then Prince Regent by John Nash and has become famous for being a wonderful, exotic and outlandish palace that delivers such a Wow factor. It has in fact been referred to as a Pleasure Palace. 1) The Royal Pavilion Brighton is a wonderful example of Regency Architecture and reflects the eclectic decorative tastes of George IV when he was Prince Regent (1811-1820). John Nash, who was a theatre designer and architect, enhanced and executed the works between 1815 and 1822. The Royal Pavilion became the retreat where King George IV could enjoy his favourite things in life, banquets, balls and music concerts, and escape from the stiff formality of life in London. 2) The longing for another place or time rather than the present encapsulates the era of Romanticism and brought the Gothic Revival style. There is nothing understated or modest about the Gothic Revival style of furniture; it was designed to command the space and would reflect the association with church architecture and incorporate the use of ecclesiastical themes from church architecture including religious symbols, pointed carved finials, arches, turrets and spires. These features would be incorporated into the designs of stately high backed chairs.