Michael Pashby Antiques Announces a Special Exhibition, HALL CHAIRS: STYLISH STATEMENTS

On view at 180 Duane St, New York, NY 10013 from May 21, 2014.
Opening reception at 6pm on Thursday May 22, 2014.

Hall chairs are a particularly interesting subset in the history of English furniture. Amongst the first items encountered on entering a great English house the hall chair was designed not for comfort and practical use but to impart a statement on behalf of the owner: power, wealth, taste and pedigree.

When initially introduced into England, like most other new furnishings of the time, they were a product of the Grand Tour, and followed the form of the Italian sgabelli of the sixteenth century that adorned the entrances of noble palazzi. Although this form of chair remained popular throughout the eighteenth century, English designers soon developed their own interpretations. With the explosion of wealth associated with the growth of global trade and the industrial revolution a new class of prominent families emerged eager to cement their positions in society. Hall chairs, prominently displaying the family coat of arms or the quartered arms, if married to another prominent family, sent a clear message of a person’s status.

Every major eighteenth century English designer from Kent, Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton to Manwaring, Vile, Hope and Gillows produced designs for these chairs and as the chairs were to serve a decorative rather than practical purpose many of the designs were particularly fanciful and allowed the designer to give free rein to their creative expression. This small exhibition surveys some notable examples of these designs. (Read more in our digital catalogue)

About Michael Pashby Antiques:

A noted Manhattan dealer, Michael Pashby Antiques specializes in fine English antiques from the mid 17th century to the late 19th century, in particular documented and signed pieces by the famous maker Gillows of Lancaster. Mr. Michael Pashby currently serves on the board of the prestigious Art and Antiques Dealers League of America. For any inquiries about the hall chairs featured in this exhibition, please email us directly at mpashby@michaelpashbyantiques.com.