Fine Pair of Late 19th-Century Sheraton Revival Painted Satinwood Armchairs

Period: Late Victorian / Edwardian (Circa 1885)
Place of Origin: Property of a Gentleman, Gloucester
 
An exceptional and highly elegant pair of late 19th-century Sheraton Revival open armchairs, meticulously crafted in the neoclassical taste of Thomas Sheraton. Boasting beautifully figured timber with a rich, warm honey patina, this matching pair features exquisite, untouched hand-painted polychrome decoration throughout. Originally part of a grand estate suite, these chairs carry authentic workshop stamps, making them an investment-grade addition to any fine interior, drawing room, or morning room.
 
Design & Construction Details:
Crest Rail: Curved scroll-back top rails beautifully adorned with classic Neoclassical Etruscan urns, ribbon-tied bows, and cascading laurel swags.
Back Splat: Intersecting X-form geometric splats centered by an intricately detailed, hand-painted floral medallion.
Arms & Supports: Gracefully down-swept scroll arms resting on elegant, ring-turned column supports highlighted with painted acanthus leaf plumes.
Legs: Supported by square tapering front legs terminating in spade feet, featuring delicate trailing floral vines and framed with simulated ebony faux stringing.
Provenance & Authenticity: The underside of the frame retains its original, crisp Victorian workshop cabinetmaker stamp "FD 11", physically verifying their premium late-19th-century batch-construction and authentic period heritage.
The High Cost of Satinwood: True satinwood had to be imported at immense expense from East India or the West Indies. Standard furniture makers could not afford the capital required to build an entire grand suite (reaching at least number 11 or 12) out of this exotic, shimmering timber.
The Specialty Painter Guilds: The intricate classical urns, ribbon-tied swags, and floral borders were not stencil work—they were entirely hand-painted by highly specialized artists. Elite firms like Maple & Co. Gillows of Lancaster, Collinson & Lock, or Miles & Edwards hired fine artists specifically to execute these delicate polychrome finishes.
The Piece-Work "FD" Tracking: High-end workshops operated under a rigorous master-and-journeyman bench system. Because a single craftsman ("FD") was tasked with hand-shaping and dry-fitting the entire complex chassis from start to finish—rather than passing it down an anonymous assembly line—the workshop required them to stamp their mark to prove accountability and claim their premium wages.
 
• Width: 46 cm
• Height:89 cm
• Depth: 46 cm
• Seat Height: 46 cm