Chairs Set of Six Daniel Marot Walnut Pierced Carving High Backs 51.5"

A fine, set of six, early 18th century, Anglo-Dutch, Daniel Marot inspired, walnut high back chairs. Back height 51.5 inch. These are of the type that one sees either illustrated in classic reference books, or standing in grand country houses and stately homes, such as Knowle, Ham House and Penshurst Place. They are usually placed in symmetrical groups against the walls in reception rooms when not in use. This shows their magnificently carved backs, crestings and stretchers to full advantage, and creates an arresting visual display becoming a design feature of the interior. These chairs are typical of the more elaborately, carved chairs which recall the designs of Daniel Marot who spent some years in England in the service of the King. Although they copied continental designs, many were doubtless made in England by immigrant craftsmen.

Few sets of Marot chairs of this age and quality survive today, particularly in such fine condition. The combination of the height, profuse and fluid pierced carving, rich upholstery and 'H' stretchers gives them great presence and the colour and patina have matured to an exceptional quality over time. They are sturdy and suitable for regular use. The upright form and profuse pierced carved ornament on the backs is consistent with early models of these chairs drawing directly from Daniel Marot designs. The lower section however demonstrates a design transition, with its more spacious, fluid form incorporating an 'H' stretcher to maintain stability (although the central rail retains the earlier characteristic cresting), fluid, cabriole front and back scroll legs reflecting changing fashions from the end of William III's reign and the beginning of Queen Anne. They date from 1700-1710 after which the design becomes more simplified with less carving in the backs which become more open and shaped, and they lose the cresting rail on the stretcher and they had fallen out of fashion by 1730. The country house revival in the late 19th-early 20th century created new interest in this model of chair although it was generally refashioned with larger sometimes shaped backs. The backs are surmounted with a pierced cresting of acanthus leaf scrollwork and gadrooning. The center of the pieced and profusely carved backs is ornamented with a large stylised acanthus leaf flowerhead with acanthus leaves emanating from a pair of large 'S' scrolls above and below terminating in a honeysuckle motif. The frames are lightly embellished with carved acanthus leaves. The stuff over seats are upholstered in a cotton velvet damask in red and beige. Standing on cabriole front legs terminating in scroll feet and scrolled back legs, joined by a shaped 'H' stretcher, ornamented with scrolls and a central stylised acanthus leaf motif. The inset central rail hipped legs with hoof feet with a repair to one foot. Exceptional original rich color and lustrous patina. Back Height 131 cm., 51.50" Back Width 41cm., 16" Back of seat 40cm., 15.74" Front of seat 50cm., 19.68" Depth of seat 44cm., 17.32" Height of seat 45 cm., 17.72" Literature: The Dictionary of English Furniture by Percy Macquoid & Ralph Edwards Page 216 Fig 43 Furniture in England from 1660 to 1760 by Francis Lenyon Page 41 Fig 90 Related chairs: V&A Museum, Hampton Court, Rijksmuseum, Niederländisches Museum, Metropolitan Museum and Hampton Court. Daniel Marot (1662-1752) Born in Paris in about 1662, son of the architect and engraver of Jean Marot. He worked with his father and gained a reputation as an engraver enjoying patronage from the crown. However Marot was a Protestant and in 1684, the year before the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, he sought refuge in Holland where almost immediately he entered the service of the Prince of Orange. By 1686 he is working at The Hague where he designed the Audience Chamber. He was appointed Master of the Works to the Prince and decorated the apartments at William's new Het Loo Palace in 1692. Marot styled himself "Architecte de Roy de la Grandes Bretagne" after the Accession of William III in 1689. Marot appears to have left England in 1698 and spent the rest of his life in Holland. He is now better known for his interior decoration and furniture design than his architectural work.