Two English Walnut India Back Chairs

Two English George II "india back" walnut chairs c1730. In the eighteenth century Chinese furniture was exported to England from Canton via ports such as Bombay in India and so were generically known as india backs even though the style is actually Chinese. Oriental hardwood furniture being imported into Europe became very fashionable and was interpreted by English cabinet makers, most famously Thomas Chippendale, for local use. You can clearly see that the top half of these chairs is inspired by fashionable classical Chinese furniture design of the day whilst the bottom is still late William & Mary in style. Included in the thumbnails is an image of a Chinese Ming period hardwood chair which was the inspiration for these British chairs.

The chair on the right has early 20th century needle work upholstery: $3685 SOLD

The chair on the left: $1985