An exceptionally hand carved mahogany and gilt sofa, the arched top rail above a tight back and downswept arms, the bench seat with two bolster cushions and two throw pillows, with palm leaf carved outswept arms and rails above scrolled legs.
Width: 94 inches | Depth: 38 inches | Height: 42 inches
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About this Piece
An exceptionally hand carved mahogany and gilt sofa, the arched top rail above a tight back and downswept arms, the bench seat with two bolster cushions and two throw pillows, with palm leaf carved outswept arms and rails above scrolled legs.
Overlooking Green Park, Spencer House was one of the grandest London mansions of the 18th century, built for the 1st Earl Spencer between 1756 and 1759. At the heart of this lavish property was the Palm Room, a sumptuously decorated reception room on the ground floor. This sofa was part of a large suite of furniture made for this room by Scottish Born John Gordon of Soho, London after designs by the architect of Spencer House, John Vardy. An early example of the emerging neo-classical style, the sofa is decorated with motifs taken from ancient Roman sources, although the overall shape is still in an earlier rococo style. Some of the furniture of this suite remains at Spencer House and some in Althorp. The original sofa is now displayed in the National Museum of Scotland.
Brights of Nettlebed offer the opportunity to own an exquisitely hand-crafted item endorsed by Charles, 9th Earl Spencer, inspired by the collection at Althorp House, built up over 500 years and 20 generations of the same family for their home.
We have sponsored the unmissable Althorp Literary Festival for the last four consecutive years - hearing famous authors in the setting of one of Englands best loved historic houses has proved to be a winning combination. We have also been fortunate for Earl Spencer to give two fascinating talks at our Dorset showroom with all proceeds donated to Whole Child, a charity devoted to improving the lives of orphaned, abandoned, abused, and neglected children worldwide. Donations are also made by us in relation to our sales of Althorp Living History furniture.