A pair of late 18th Century Thames Valley japanned 'Cottage' armchairs

An important Pair of  Late 18th Century Thames Valley and possibly Gillows of Lancaster & London japanned 'Cottage' open armchairs with red ornamentation.

  Crafted with dowel and socket construction and japanned in the Thames Valley c1780's these rare rush seated chiars with wavy fiddle back splats and hand painted decoration were designed to be light and mobile and often used for entertaining purposes and events. These chairs are stamped with the initials JG at the top of the chair leg possibly James Gillows who is listed as a partner in the Gillows London shop when these chairs would have been produced. A rare very desirable and decorative pair of chairs with their original timeworn painted decoration. 

Condition commensurate with age and use. Some restoration work- One seat re-rushed. A repair to a back leg, a replacement front leg at some point in its history, a small ancient woodworm attack-which has been retreated. None of these effect its stability or aesthetic appeal.  

For Reference: The Regional Furniture Scociety (regionalfurnituresociety.org) article. Fancy, japanned and dyed light chairs in the late eighteen century and nineteenth century.