Scottish Chesterfield Sofa by John Taylor, Edinburgh

Late-19th century Scottish mahogany and leather Chesterfield sofa by John Taylor of Edinburgh. With deep-buttoned upholstered arms, back and seat within fine foliate carved arms, raised on squat baluster turned legs on brass caps and castors. Provenance: National Galleries Scotland, it remained in the gallery collection until a recent sale. John Taylor & Sons were founded in Edinburgh in 1825 (premises on West Thistle Street before moving to Princes Street) and had a large retail premises and workshop (Rosemount Cabinetworks). They often advertised as ‘upholsterers to Her Majesty’ and ‘artistic house furnishers’ for Royal Scottish Academy. Examples of their work can be found in National Museums Scotland.