A very important gilt Side Chair, by John Trotter, with cart...

Hammer

€10,000

A very important gilt Side Chair, by John Trotter, with cartouche shaped back around a padded panel with brass studs above a serpentine padded seat on four cabriole scroll legs. (1)

Provenance:   From Carton House, by John Trotter, cabinetmaker to George II. Originally from Berwickshire, he ran a flourishing cabinetmaking firm in Frith St., Soho, London, and is recorded in directories and the Royal accounts at No. 43, 1755 - 92. In 1754, Trotter subscribed to Chippendale's Director and in the same year was appointed the Royal Upholsterer.

This chair was part of a set supplied to Leinster House in 1759.

The chairs are identified in a letter from Lady Caroline Fox to her sister Lady Emily, Countess of Kildare, 21 February 1759 which states: "I saw Mr. Trotter to-day who says the chairs will be ready immediately but begs to know if you will have them gilt now..?" The letter is accompanied by a sketch with measurements (which correspond to the current lot) and is titled 'Mr. Trotter's Chair' (see illustration).

The chair was moved to Carton House in 1815 on the sale of Leinster House (by the 3rd Duke of Leinster) to the Dublin Society.