Irish Furniture

Presenting a fabulous 19C set of 6 Irish Chippendale style ribbon back dining chairs. Irish made circa 1840-60. We know that these are Irish due to the signature ‘hairy paw’ feet which is synonymous with Irish Georgian furniture that were made in the Chippendale Style. These are hand crafted chairs, made of mahogany, and have fabulously detailed ‘Ribbon’ backs splats with tassel, acanthus floral and bow details. All 6 have been re-upholstered by us in a gorgeous tan/light gold silk damask fabric which is beautifully sympathetic to the style and period. We are confident that these are Early to Mid 19th Century chairs for a number of reasons: (1) The are hand crafted, (2) the color/patina is what you would expect with natural aging, (3) they have evidence of historic repairs, wear and tear consistent with age, (4) when we removed the old upholstery fabric, which looked like it was done in the 1980’s, we discovered the original ‘horse hair’ cushion filling … this practice stopped in the early 20th Century. The seat webbing was also much older and needed replacing. Fabulous acanthus carving on the knees of the front legs, with curved legs leading down to the fabulously carved hairy paws. Nice indented decoration on the front of the seat. The rear legs are undecorated and curve outwards for additional support and stability. Unsigned and unmarked but undoubtedly made by a top Irish furniture maker. probably in Dublin. Condition: Each chair has been newly re-upholstered and seat webbing replaced. The original horse hair cushion filling was cleaned and incorporated into the new cushion with modern foam to create a more comfortable and uniform seat cushion, but still retaining originality. Each chair has signs of historic repairs to the ribbon back splats over the generations. This is not unusual due to the somewhat delicate nature of these types of back splats. Also, it is an indicator of true age. The chair to the back left in the main photos has had the most repairs and much more recently performed (by us) as the back splaty was broken in 2 places (but we had the original pieces) and the chair needed the insertion of metal pins to secure the repaired sections. We have provided a couple of photos of this back splat which you can see evidence of the repairs. The repairs are very professionally done and the chair is now fully functionable and usable and the repairs are not very noticeable. These repairs are reflected in the pricing, as, if these chairs were ‘mint’ they would be very valuable and expensive ! Irish furniture can be recognised by certain features, which differentiate it from its European counterparts. The Irish style of furniture is said to have been lagging behind in fashion compared to English equivalent by a number of years, in both its design and manner by which the furniture was manufactured. A defining feature of the mid-eighteenth-century furniture is the carving on different parts of the furniture such as the aprons, blanket chests, bottle-stands and such objects. The carvings included foliated details, baskets of flowers and scallop shells, which are some of the most prominent carvings that are represented on Irish furniture at this time. A few of the Irish makers of these objects were James Hicks, Arthur Jones, William Moore, Mack & Gibton and Robert Strahan. All though individuals would have been the most prominent at the time of the 18th century and early 19th century but there are any other cabinet makers as well. Not all Irish furniture was detailed with such wonderful carvings and some might have been seen to be rather plain. One of the most identifiable items that are described as plain is the Irish Hunt Table, its simple elegance comprising of with straight plain legs. It was most commonly used in the dining room of a rural house such as a agents house or large house of a land holder. Another very popular and simply designed piece was the Irish Silver table, its design is very elegant and yet individual partially owing to the shell motive. Other examples of such Irish tables are side tables which have a distinctive double scrolled leg. Usually legs are carved with acanthus and have paw feet which are quite popular in Ireland but more rare in England. Other features are the inside leg which is carved with elongated C-scroll. The triple scroll on the leg was common place. Some cabinet makers and creativity was really captured with their side tables in how the carving was done. This carving may include Jupiters eagle or Lion mask and flanked Swags of flowers. In other furniture such as chairs, the H-shaped serpentine stretcher was popular in the 18th century in Ireland and when English chairs had moved forward in their design the Irish makers were still using the H-shaped serpentine. There was certainly an overlap between Irish and English furniture, one can see that Irish cabinet makers used English pattern books but used Irish features such as the carvings as the shell, baskets of flowers and foliated details. Another unique feature in Irish cabinet making was Killarney ware...

A large Regency period antique Irish fireplace in Kilkenny marble. Usually referred to as the "Dublin Corbel" as they were typically used ther...

18th Century Mahogany Concertina Action card table, Circa 1750 A very good Irish concertina action card table standing on bold carved l...

19th century bow fronted mahogany chest of drawers with pull-out dressing slide, decorative circular brass handles, ...

This traditional hand-woven Irish Donegal rug has a shaded bottle-green field with a counterposed design of angular vines issuing palmettes and open palmettes enclosing multiple flow...

19th Century pair of mahogany Neoclassical Style floor mounted bookcases with Egyptian revival brass mountings. The side columns are headed by exceptional cast gilt-bronze mounts in the form of Egyptian pharaoh heads and terminate in cast bronze human feet...

CONCAVE is a statement dining table in solid oak, beautifully whitened to accentuate the natural grain of the timber. This contemporary dinin...

A very fine Irish Regency period brass inlaid side cabinet by "Williams & Gibton" of small proportions, with green marble top over a plain frieze and a glazed door, stamped with No. ...

An exceptional and finely made Irish woven porcelain hexagonal shaped basket made by Belleek and dating from the 19th century. The stunning basket stan...

A stunning 19th Century Irish Georgian turn over leaf flame mahogany gate leg tea table of demi-lune form. The moulded, beautifully patinated, hinged top raised over a simple line i...

A large antique Regency period Irish Kilkenny marble fireplace from the early 19th century. A good example of this type of Irish fireplace us...

Monumental 19th Century Irish Crystal Georgian Nine Light Chandelier. The Refined Anglo-Irish Chandelier has lead crystal stem-pieces comp...

Fine and impressively scaled Irish Regency mahogany hall table, the concave shaped top with ribbed edge over paneled apron with end drawers, and having carved patera over turned and ...

19th century mahogany tip-up dining table crossbanded with rosewood on splay pod legs terminating with brass lion feet castors.

An elegant fire surround in Connemara marble, simply drawn yet stylish. The frame with stepped design, sitting on square foot blocks. Good proportions and ...

19th Century mahogany Pembroke table with Chippendale-style legs. This table features delicate beaded edging on the twin fold-out leaves which sit above a single end drawer with circ...

19th Century George IV mahogany cellarette, or vin de garde, of sarcophagus form, with hinged lid and brass side carrying handles, raised on castors. Featuring a flat rectangular top...

An exceptional antique carved white statuary marble chimneypiece from the late Georgian period. With full free standing and fluted ionic columns under carved putti corner blocks. A substantial egg and dart cornice shelf...

19th Century heavily decorated four-sided brass hall lantern with original stained glass panels.

An exceptional pair of 19th century carved mahogany armchairs in the style of Thomas Chippendale, the domed crest, above an elaborately carved and interlaced ribbon splat, joined to ...

A charming Irish chest with whimsical galleried back. Originally intended to store silver and linens, this piece would be good in the bedroom or anywhere attractive storage is needed...

A large, characterful 19th century vernacular chair, primitively constructed from heavily patinated elm with original woven rush seat. Irish, c. 1850.

Adam style fine cut three-arm glass pair of wall fixtures / sconces, colorless, large circular faceted finial with a central hanging prism with a long zipper cut stem terminating in ...

A useful magazine or paper rack in excellent condition and lovely mahogany colour. Beautifully made with a fantastic finish.

A superb quality and impressive Irish early Victorian flame mahogany breakfront gentleman’s wardrobe by Robert Strahan & Co of Dublin. Made with excepti...

With a rectangular top with molded edge over a frieze with central carved shell, raised on cabriole legs with carved shell knees and ending on leaf carved trifid feet. Probably origi...

A George III period mahogany side table in the neo-classical Adam style. The moulded serpentine top raised over a carved frieze of classical decoration, the long central drawer finel...

A Handsome Mahogany Irish extending dining table. Early to mid-19th century in William IV style. Supported on four bold cabriole legs with an acanthus carved knee terminating in a ha...

A charming Irish country painted pine step-back cupboard with three open shelves above a lower cabinet with two drawers over two doors, which open to reveal shelving. The cabinet has...

Very fine set of 10 18th century Irish chippendale dining chairs. Made in the period of heavy 1st growth mahogany, these chairs feature...

19th Century large oak military chest. The top lifting to reveal four shelves and centred by a mirror over two top short drawers and four long drawers with brass pulls. The centre dr...

19th Century floor bookcases of rectangular form in satinwood with mahogany line inlay, terminating on four tapering square feet. The stepped top is raised...

Beautiful square size antique Donegal Irish rug, country of origin: Ireland, circa 1920. Size: 10 ft 2 in x 10 ft 4 in (3.1 m x 3.15 m) Delicate b...

Early 19th century Regency tripod wine table. The rectangular satinwood and mahogany crossbanded top sits above a turned stem that splays out into three downswept tapering legs, term...

A lovely 19th Century Victorian mahogany console or hall table, the moulded top of serpentine form with shaped and carved gallery back with ...

Late 18th century campana shaped carved limestone garden urn with stylised ram heads. This piece features a refined Classic decoration with acanthus leaf motifs applied to the lid a...

Introducing the exquisite "Killarney" Cut Crystal Vase by Waterford - a stunning piece that effortlessly combines timeless elegance with modern sophistication. This clear glass vase ...

A fine pair of Hepplewhite style wheelback armchairs with oval-shaped backrests and spiderweb detailing, shaped reeded armrests & stuffed over seats. These chairs are raised on taper...

A very handsome and well executed pair of 18th century Irish Georgian portraits. Both executed in pastels on paper laid down on canvas, set within th...

Late 19th century pair of metal column table lamps with ormolu mounted capitals on stepped square bases with a black gloss finish.

18th Century Carved Limestone Sculpture of the Mythological Figure Pan. In ancient Greek mythology, Pan is the god of the wild, protector o...

Antique 20th century rare advertising mirror. This 1930’s oak framed advertising mirror shows a bottle of John Dewar & Sons Old Liqueur Whisky as supplied to the Imperial Institute. ...

Early 19th century mahogany oval-topped occasional table, complete with single drawer featuring brass lock and swan neck handle, sitting above gently tapered legs supported by a simp...

Georgian mahogany serving table, Irish. The top fitted with a tray configured with a rounded gallery end for dishes and a canted box for flatware. The...

19th Century copper coal scuttle in heavy gauge helmet form standing on a shaped dome base with a turned wood swing top handle & simple side handle.

This Irish George III mirrors consists of an oval mirror plate surrounded by alternating blue and clear faceted cut glass gems (with applied gilding), set into a metal frame. County ...

A heavily decorated chimneypiece of white statuary and sienna marble. The central tablet is sculpted with very a finely carved urn flanked with ram’s heads, drapery and foliage which...

A superb pair of Irish Regency mahogany armchairs attributed to Mack, Williams and Gibton, the arched reeded crest rails above open frames with lattice-work back rails, each with arm...

In a giltwood frame. Gentleman standing with red jacket. Frost And Reed label on reverse giving Maubert attribution. Maubert was born and trained in Dublin.

Antique zwaterford cut crystal punch bowl onStand, Circa 1920-1930. Lovely cut crystal centerpiece, great for serving cocktails and punch, displayi...

Presenting a lovely 19C Aquatint Engraving of the Quay at Waterford in Waterford city in Ireland. This engraving has been hand embellished with aquatint color(s) and is from Ireland circa 1820-40. It features a scene of the Quay or Port of Waterford from circa 1820. We are basing this upon the attire of the figures in the engraving and the tall ships. It features Reginald’s Tower (still located at the Waterford Quay to this day). Georgian Quay buildings, a number of moored tall ships and row boats, barrels, horses and carts, women and British soldiers. The engraving was professionally reframed and matted in Dallas in the 1980’s and the rear of the frame says that it was “Museum Mounted and Matted”. The frame has a lovely Grecian pattern around the front. If you are Irish...

Pair of antique Japanese vases converted into table lamps complete with matching contemporary shades. They have been decorated in the tr...

Pair of Provençale 19th century agateware ewers by Pichon, Uzes, France C.1880 Agateware is pottery decorated with a combination of colored clays to cr...

Giltwood compartmental overmantle mirror in the manner of Chippendale. The period glass plate divided by stylised columns sits within a hi...

This extraordinary light sculpture, one of a series of strikingly beautiful pieces in blue patina, marks yet another departure for the groundbreaking Irish artist and designer, fur...

An exceptional Georgian engraved brass serpentine-front dog grate with pierced fretwork raised over tapering square legs on block feet and a shaped t...

The circular top veneered in extremely well figured amboyna having a cross banded outer border. The top supported on a octagonal column, similarly veneered in amboyna, resting on a t...

A Belleek four-strand oval basket 20th century Oval basket with a waved loop rim applied with sprigs of flowers, impressed banner mark. Note: Restoration to four loops, as i...