23rd Jun, 2026 10:00
Fine Interiors
32
A George III giltwood armchair attributed to Ince & Mayhew
circa 1775,
the moulded cartouche back surmounted by cresting, above padded swept arms and a stuffover seat, upholstered in later Aubusson-style covering, the fluted seat rail centred by an oval patera and flanked by opposing flower heads, on tapering fluted forelegs with gadrooned collars and ankles, with exposed back strut, batten carrying holes and cramp cuts to the underside
62cm wide, 50cm deep, 88cm high
Footnote:This chair bears close resemblance to a number of sets of seat furniture by, or firmly attributed to, the Golden Square firm of William Ince and John Mayhew. The closest parallel to this chair - near identical in form and differing only by a variation in cresting or clasp - were previously in the collection of Sir Michael Sobell before being sold by Christie's, London, 23 June 1994, lot 60, and then again from a private Eaton Square collection, Christie's, London, 2 May 2023, lot 179, for £85,875 including premium. Another set, which follow near the same pattern, are one of ten en suite with a window seat, made for Sir Thomas Edwardes in 1775 at a cost of £36 15s, for the Drawing Room, No. 17 Edward Street, Portman Square, London, as well as those made for the Earl of Warwick (H Roberts and C Cator, 'Industry and Ingenuity: The Partnership of William Ince and John Mayhew', pp.160, 170, 360 & 361, figs. 314 & 317). These two sets have no cresting and the rear legs conform with the forelegs, rather than the outswept example seen in the present lot; for the same model again but with outswept rear legs, see those probably supplied for John Crewe, circa 1775 (H Roberts and C Cator, 'Industry and Ingenuity: The Partnership of William Ince and John Mayhew', pp. 247 and 360, fig. 315).
The present lot and those discussed in conjunction all share the same characteristics associated with the Golden Square firm - these include exposed back struts, scroll channelled arms directly descending into the top of the forelegs, batten carrying holes, cramp cuts and French fashioned 'cabriolet' backs.
Take advantage of our Sworders Delivery Service. Please see 'Shipping estimate' below.
Sold for £500
Condition Report
Restoration and repairs throughout. The chair has been regilt and could previously have been painted, 'japanned' or painted decoration was a popular part of the firms production. The gilding is unstable and has come away in many places, would benefit from stripping and re-decorating. The legs have been slightly reduced at the toes at all corners, perhaps by about a inch. There are evidence of repairs, such as dowels which have been put in for strengthening. The legs have been reinforced with blocks. The upholstery is later.
Please note: although we try to reproduce colours as closely as possible, fabrics, carpets and upholstery may vary slightly in colour between print, digital images and real life. The sale team would be very pleased to provide additional images or videos of the pieces upon request, however, viewing lots of this nature in person is encouraged.
IN PERSON
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Please note that we normally offer this service for lots with an estimate of £500 or higher and all telephone bid requests must be received by close of business the day before the auction.
Auction: Fine Interiors, 23rd Jun, 2026
It is with great pleasure that we share the full catalogue for our June auction, comprising over 650 lots of fine furniture, works of art, sculpture, and carpets to delight and inspire.
Leading the sale is the collection of Mr and Mrs Francis Anthony Brinsley Valentine, with many pieces descending from the Earls of Lanesborough at Swithland Hall, Leicester.
We are also delighted to present property from a number of other notable collections and distinguished individuals, including James Hamilton, 5th Duke of Abercorn, Frederick Parker, James Thursby-Pelham Esq., Judith Appio, and – following the success of the first instalment in our March Fine Interiors sale – a further group of lots from The Richard Collins Collection.
Alongside these collections, we are pleased to offer the contents of two distinct, though equally stylish, London interiors: 14 Prior Street and 18 Thurloe Square.
Viewing
London Viewing | Highlights
A selection of lots will be on view Monday 18 May - Friday 12 June at our London Gallery, 15 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ, as follows:
Monday-Friday, 11am - 5.30pm
Saturday - Closed
Sunday - Closed
For more information on the lots featured, please see HERE or contact 0203 971 2500 | london@sworder.co.uk
Stansted Viewing | Auction
Viewing will be held at our Stansted Auction Rooms, Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8GE, as follows:
Friday 19 June, 10am - 4pm
Sunday 21 June, 10am - 1pm
Monday 22 June, 10am - 4pm
All lots are, however, extensively illustrated and carry detailed condition reports - see 'Condition report' at the foot of each lot description.
The auction will take place at our Stansted Auction Rooms, Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8GE.
Please note that this item is not suitable for a pre-sale automated shipping estimate due to the items weight/size.
The below table shows indicative shipping costs for larger items being delivered within the UK mainland. Please note that all the below costs are purely for indicative purposes and are to be used as a guideline only. If you purchase multiple large items, we will combine deliveries to reduce the shipping costs.
Should you be successful in buying this item, a specific shipping estimate will need to be requested after the sale using the link in your invoice email; this also includes all requests for international delivery.
If you would like further information about shipping and collection please see here.
Buying a pre-loved, antique, or vintage item not only provides you with unique style and value for money but it also helps to reduce landfill, and the annual emissions of an antique or vintage piece can be as little as one sixteenth of those of its new equivalent!
Sworders is proud to be supporting the work of Antiques are Green - the movement that was founded in 2009 to promote “a greener future created from the past”. Read their fascinating carbon footprint study of a Georgian chest of drawers versus a modern equivalent here
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