A Mid-19th Century ‘Jacobethan’ Ripple-Maple Sofa
The design attributed to Edward Middleton Barry, circa 1866 - 1870. Manufactured by either Clayton & Bell or J. G. Crace
Provenance - Damask Bedroom, Crewe Hall, Cheshire
The frame will need some attention prior to upholstery & the front right foot has scuff marks that will need wax colouring.
The design attributed to Edward Middleton Barry, circa 1866 - 1870. Manufactured by either Clayton & Bell or J. G. Crace
Provenance - Damask Bedroom, Crewe Hall, Cheshire
The frame will need some attention prior to upholstery & the front right foot has scuff marks that will need wax colouring.
The design attributed to Edward Middleton Barry, circa 1866 - 1870. Manufactured by either Clayton & Bell or J. G. Crace
Provenance - Damask Bedroom, Crewe Hall, Cheshire
The frame will need some attention prior to upholstery & the front right foot has scuff marks that will need wax colouring.
Dimensions - 84" (214 cm) wide x 34" (86 cm) deep x 34" (86 cm) high
Once covered in a blousy chintz, this sofa from the late 1860's dates to Edward Middleton Barry restoration of Crewe Hall after it burnt in 1866. Christies sold a watercolour of the Great Hall at Crewe in 1998 by Joseph Nash, in the accompanying text they suggest the interior was decorated by Clayton and Bell, and by J. G. Crace.
The house is Jacobean with Edward Blore's remodelling in the early 19th century. Barry respected the Blore and earlier interiors in his restoration and must be responsible for the design of this sofa with its strapwork carving conforming to the plasterwork in the 'Damask Bedroom' where it sat at the end of a four-poster bed.
This sofa remained with the Crewe family until sold at auction in 2024. In May 2015, Sotheby’s sold the collection of the Duchess of Roxburghe's contents of West Horsley Place amongst which were various Neo-Jacobean table lamps with a similar strap work design by Edward Middleton Barry.