An attractive pair of George III oak hall chairs with painted armorial insets to the moulded oval solid backs, over trapezoidal seats, raised on tapering and channelled fore supports and particularly well shaped back sabre legs.

English, c. 1800

Excellent antique country house condition, well grained and patinated.

Initially, hall chairs were designed, in the words of Sheraton in the Cabinet Maker's Dictionary (1803), to be 'placed in halls, for the use of servants or strangers waiting on business'. However, the sleek and lightweight design of these armorial hall chairs does not suggest much of a practical use. Pleasing proportion, smart decoration and particularly fine curve to the rear legs, together with the unusual for the period choice of timber (oak) - make these chairs stand out. Notably, they still retain the insets, painted with double family crest, referring to a marriage of two prominent families.