RARE 19TH CENTURY LION MONOPODIA ARMCHAIR AFTER THOMAS HOPE

A very fine and impressive European walnut monopodia library armchair, upholstered in a Rosie Uniacke cotton velvet moss, an almost identical armchair having been published in ‘English Furniture 1500-1840 by Geoffrey Beard & Judith Goodison”. English Circa 1830. Of masculine form and wide proportions, this armchair portrays power as having an almost throne-like presence. It is extremely well carved, out of what most would call mahogany but is, in fact, European walnut, having a curved oblong top-rail incised with circular and rectangular cabochons amongst carved strapwork, gilt metal lions masks and lobed bun finials, over padded back and winged lion carved monopodia arms enclosing a stuffed seat. Raised on scrolled front legs with lion’s paw feet seated on an H-form stretcher base and bun feet.

This powerful design incorporates elements from one of the most influential designers of the Regency period Thomas Hope, having Greco-Roman forms and Hope’s symbolic winged lion monopodia. There is also decorative carving in the Renaissance style which enjoyed a brief vogue in the 1830’s in England carrying on to the early 1840’s. In excellent condition having been wax polished and reupholstered, the gilt metal lion mask handles to the back are a period replacement. 

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