• Width:
  19 Inches
• Height:
  35 Inches
• Depth:
  14 1/2 Inches
• Period:
  19th Century
• Origin:
  England/Ireland

This stunning pair of mid Victorian solid mahogany hall chairs by Crosby and Sons display wonderful characteristics of the Gothic Revival period. As the name indicates, such chairs were generally placed in grand entrances of country homes and manors. Each features an arched back with a circular panel of the carved monogram "SD" surrounded by panels of carved foliage and flowers. The solid seats are flanked by Gothic pierced down-swept sides, on pierced Gothic ends joined by chamfered square stretchers. Inspired by the novels of Sir Walter Scott, the Gothic prose of the Brontë sisters, and the ambitious rebuilding of the Houses of Parliament, the Victorians embraced the re-emergence of the Gothic style with great enthusiasm. Provenance: Contents of Petit Fleur d'Eau, Lake Geneva With ink stamps on the undersides, "CROSBY & SONS practical cabinet makers and upholsterers...Liverpool" Circa 1870 19" wide x 14 1/2" deep x 35" high Mahogany became the preferred medium for fine English furniture beginning in the mid-18th century. It was prized for its hardness, stability and dynamic grain configuration. Cabinetmakers found mahogany to be optimal for creating a variety of pieces and, due to its inherent qualities, the wood displayed unrivaled brilliance, whether enriched with the highest level of carving and chasing or simplistically designed to allow the natural grain and color to speak for itself. In 1733, the removal of the import taxes on mahogany made the material easier to obtain and it soon replaced walnut as the most popular wood. However, it was still among the most expensive lumber of the period, a trend that continued well into the 19th century. These commanding chairs demonstrate the unwavering appeal for this attractive timber and beautifully illustrate why it will forever be connected with the zenith of English furniture craftsmanship.