Armchair of gilded beechwood, the seat, back and arm pads upholstered in brownish red silk damask. The legs are of fluted, columnar form, the seat rail carved with guilloche ornament. The upholstery of the seat is on a detachable pad(this form of upholstery known as à chassis). It is held into the frame by a spring catch which engages with the lower rail. This is set within the fabric lining of the back and can be operated. In the early 1760s a new style was being developed in British design, based on classical motifs from ancient Greece and Rome. This chair was probably made in the very first years of this new style. Although we do not know who made it, it is close in style to furniture that was produced for Spencer House, London, for Earl Spencer and it is possible that it was supplied by the upholsterer John Gordon, who is known to have worked for the house. Armchair of gilded beechwood, the seat, back and arm pads upholstered in red silk damask. The legs are of fluted, columnar form, the seat rail carved with guilloche ornament.