ATTRIBUTED TO WRIGHT AND ELWICK, CIRCA 1760

This pair of elegant early George III 'French' pattern library armchairs are the same model as a suite supplied to the 5th Duke of Bolton (d. 1765) from Hackwood Park, Hampshire, probably originating from Bolton Hall, Yorkshire, and a suite from Wentworth Woodhouse, Yorkshire now attributed to Wright and Elwick. Wright and Elwick, partners in Wakefield from 1747-1771, supplied much of the furniture for Wentworth Woodhouse in the 1750s and 1760s. The extensive use of solid mahogany in the construction of this suite, and in others of this model, is a feature of the construction of much of the furniture atrributed to Wright and Elwick. Another element is the close derivation of the design of the legs from patterns for chair legs in Thomas Chippendale's Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director. (see E. Lennox-Boyd, The Wentworth Cabinet-Maker: Wright and Elwick, Christie's, London, 8 July 1998, pp. 110-112)
Three side chairs from the Bolton suite were sold Hackwood Park, Christie's, London, 20-22 April 1998, lots 119-120. Parts of the Wenworth suite, supplied to Charles, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham (d. 1782) have been sold at auction; eight side chairs, three armchairs and two settees, Christie's, London, 15 July 1948, lots 62-63, eight side chairs, The Property of the Hon. Mrs. Brian Rootes, Christie's, London, 8 February 1973, lot 483, and a settee, Christie's, London, 9 July 1998, lot 56.
An identical pair of library armchairs, attributed to Wright and Elwick were sold Christie's, London, 30 November 2000, lot 110 (£44,650).