Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10

Rare 18th Century Mahogany Cockpen Armchair

$6,813.19
£4,950
€5,791.41
CA$9,311.63
A$10,136.47
CHF 5,380.44
MX$121,963.52
NOK 68,177.51
SEK 62,469.86
DKK 43,249.92

About the Item

A rare 18th-century mahogany Cockpen open armchair of very good quality. George III-period, ca 1760. This antique armchair is in mahogany with a chinoiserie open-fretwork (or Chinese latticework) frame, including in the outset arms. Raised on square chamfered supports. Very minor historic restorations commensurate with age – in superb condition throughout. Sturdy in all its joints. With slip-in seat now beautifully upholstered in blue velvet. We do like this sophisticated chair design. Often we are asked for 'harlequin' or matched sets to be placed around dining tables. Nb. There are numerous late-19th and 20th-century copies of this Cockpen design. However, ours on offer here is Georgian - a chic antique desk chair (or occasional armchair) of good, rich colour and patination. Literature: Christopher Gilbert, 'The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale' (1978) p. 101, fig 167. Ralph Edwards CBE FSA, 'A Shorter Dictionary of English Furniture', Hamlyn (Fourth Impression 1972) p. 150, ill. 132, documents a similar armchair dated circa 1765. Thomas Arthur Strange, 'English furniture' (1890) pp. 133, 156 157. Thomas Chippendale, 'Director' (1754) ill. XXVI. Percy Macquoid RI, 'A History of English Furniture - The Age of Mahogany', Bracken (1908) p.298, ill. 682. Property of the Duke of Beaufort. ”One of a set and particularly pleasing in shape; it corresponds in design to the table fig. 676.” Ralph Edwards CBE FSA, 'Georgian Cabinet-Makers', London (1955) p. 136, fig. 88. Sebastian Pryke, 'The 18th Century Furniture Trade in Edinburgh' (1995). Sebastian Pryke, 'Cockpen Quest', Country Life, 29th April 1993. The family pew of the Earls and Marquesses in Cockpen Church formerly contained examples in this manner. A more intricately designed latticework chair was produced by Thomas Chippendale, and became known as the ‘Chinese Chippendale’ style. Chippendale’s 1762 Director includes several plates depicting the chair style, and 2 pages of “Chinese Railings”. Blind and open fretwork throughout the mid-18th century repeats this pattern of asymmetrical intersecting lines. Although the Cockpen chair thrived in Scotland during the second half of the 18th century, the term “Cockpen” appears not to have been used during this period. This furniture derives its name from the Cockpen and Carrington Parish Church, Bonnyrigg, near Edinburgh, Scotland. The Church is situated in a rural setting to the South East of Bonnyrigg on the B704.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 37.8 in (96 cm)Width: 23.63 in (60 cm)Depth: 20.48 in (52 cm)
  • Style:
    George III (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1760
  • Condition:
    Repaired: Very minor historic restorations entirely commensurate with age. Wear consistent with age and use. Superb condition overall.
  • Seller Location:
    Lymington, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BHA12771stDibs: LU4081132643922

More From This Seller

View All
18th Century Carved Mahogany Library Bergère Armchair
Located in Lymington, GB
An English 18th-century carved mahogany library armchair - or bergère - of good rich colour. George III, circa 1780. This antique Sheraton-period armchair, sometimes described as a bergère (bergere) chair, is raised on reeded square tapering legs which merge, headed by a carved rosette panel...
Category

Antique 1780s English George III Bergere Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Chinese Chippendale Mahogany Gainsborough Library Armchair
Located in Lymington, GB
A very good Chippendale-period mahogany Gainsborough armchair, circa 1760. This is a lovely example of an early-George III Gainsborough library armchair in the sophisticated Chinese taste of the period. With well-executed blind-fret carving to the square legs and arm supports.

 Note the unusual treatment of the gently-outswept padded arms. Furthermore there is subtle shaping to the top of the back. The 'H' stretcher with pierced Gothick carving. Professionally upholstered to a high standard and overstuffed in a neutral soft velvet, with float buttons and close nailed. Raised on old brass castors. Lovely, rich, old colour and patina. In excellent condition with a sturdy frame throughout. These Georgian library armchairs are sometimes also known as Martha Washington chairs...
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English George III Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

Set of Four 18th Century Satinwood Painted Armchairs - Seddon, Sons Shackleton
Located in Lymington, GB
A fine and very rare set of four English late-18th century satinwood painted armchairs attributed to Seddon, Sons & Shackleton, ca 1790. Nb. It is not only quite difficult to find a...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century English George III Chairs

Materials

Satinwood

Early 18th Century Walnut Wing Chair
Located in Lymington, GB
An early-18th century walnut wing armchair. Queen Anne/ George I-period, ca 1714. This fine English walnut wingback chair is raised on well-drawn carved cabriole legs. With a lovely kick on the back legs. Remarkably, after some 310 years, it still retains its original gros-point needlework upholstery in vibrant colors. Of superb proportions, color, figuring and patination. Measures: H 106 cm (42'') D 68 cm (27''). W 87.5 cm (34 1/2''). Seat H: 42.5 cm. (16 3/4''). Literature: Herbert Cescinsky 'English Furniture Of The Eighteenth Century', George Routledge & Sons (1911) vol. I, p. 81, fig. 105. ''A walnut easy chair'' dated 1710. Nb. A slightly earlier antique walnut and beech wing armchair with contemporary needlework, circa 1710, sold in Christies, Lot 164, October 2015 @ £48,350 -The Property of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Sothebys sold a George II needlework...
Category

Antique Early 18th Century English Georgian Wingback Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Early 18th Century Walnut Wing Chair
$24,224 Sale Price
20% Off
Fine Pair 18th Century Robert Manwaring Carved Mahogany Library Armchairs
By Robert Manwaring
Located in Lymington, GB
A fine pair of mid-eighteenth century carved mahogany library armchairs attributed to Robert Manwaring, ca 1760. Crisply carved, of superb colour and...
Category

Antique 1760s English Chinese Chippendale Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

Exceptional Pair George II Carved Walnut Library Armchairs
Located in Lymington, GB
An exceptional pair of English George II-period carved walnut library armchairs. Raised on very well-carved cabriole legs with stylised ball-and-claw feet, each chair with rectangul...
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English George II Armchairs

Materials

Walnut

You May Also Like

Circa 1750, English Georgian ii Period Mahogany Armchair with Modern Fabric
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1750 English Georgian II period mahogany armchair. The George II period was most noted for its intricate chairs. Like the other Georgian periods, this one was named after the monarch during the time. Under George II, mahogany became the predominant wood used for fine furniture. Many of the styles were symmetrical and had architectural curves, inspired by the Gothic. These works were very expensive and only the rich could afford and buy them. This specific armchair has a frame entirely carved from mahogany, which was a strong and durable wood that was also naturally water resistant and offers natural resistance against pests. The back of the chair has a splat design. Splats were an important element of eighteenth-century English chairs, offering support. It originated from the importation of Chinese Ming Dynasty chairs...
Category

Antique 1750s English George II Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

Fine 18th Century Georgian Mahogany Armchair
Located in Richmond, VA
Fine 18th century Georgian mahogany armchair with original slip seat. Nice, comfortable proportions with elegant back splat and ears. Slip ...
Category

Antique 18th Century English Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century George III Mahogany Armchair
Located in Germantown, MD
A late 18th to Early 19th Century George III Mahogany upholstered Armchair with X stretcher leg joints. Very sturdy antique condition with newer upholstery. Measures 21.75" in width,...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century American George III Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Late Georgian Mahogany Guildmasters Armchair
Located in Essex, MA
Sheraton form of large scale with carved arched back with three pierced splats, arms joining a brown leather seat, square tapered legs, stretchers.
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English George III Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

Georgian 18th Century Elm Armchair
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A very attractive George II Period, 18th century Elm carver armchair, Retaining Exceptional Colour & Patina Throughout, Having Elegant Ribbon Carved Pierced Splat Back And Scrolling ...
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English Georgian Armchairs

Materials

Elm

Georgian Mahogany Armchair circa 1800
Located in Potters Bar, GB
This Georgian mahogany armchair is of simple form with square tapered legs. Having shaped front and side rails and typical Georgian swept ...
Category

Antique Early 1800s Georgian Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany