Late 18th Century Painted George III Period Sheraton Open Armchair

A fine late 18th century George III Period painted open armchair, with caned back and seat, the cream painted frame with highlights of red and green having swooping arms, square tapering legs and conjoined by an H-form stretcher.

This chair is a good example of Sheraton Period furniture. The simple outline and restrained painted details were inspired by the French Louis XVI style, incorporating light structures, rectilinear forms, fine veneers and in the present armchair, decorative paint finishes. Sheraton furniture corresponds with the neo-classical designs of Robert Adam and yet it is typically more subtle and restrained in ornament and as such it brought the grand style of Adam within the reaches of the affluent middle classes at the end of the 18th century.