An impressive ebonised and gilt decorated X-framed armchair

REF826

The curved panelled back in two sections separated by gilt balls decorated with gilt stars within Greek key borders, between turned uprights with finials. The X frame seat similarly decorated and headed by arms with upholstered pads and caned seat with a loose squab cushion. 
The design for this chair is taken from Thomas Hope and his book “Household Furniture and Interior Decoration’ of 1807, Plate XX No. 3 and 4. ‘After the manner of the ancient curule chairs.’ 
These chairs can be seen in an engraving of the interior of his London House, in Duchess St, illustrated in Plate VII of his book. 

Thomas Hope was born in 1769 and died in 1831. Of wealthy parents, he studied architecture when young in Italy, Greece and Egypt, which aroused in him a keen enthusiasm for classical work. 
The patron for Canova, Flaxman and Thorwaldsen, and friend of the French architect Percier, he was one of the greatest of all European connoisseurs and collectors. His work, published in 1807, was intended as a description of his London house and its contents, decorated and furnished in Classical, Egyptian and French Empire style, and more than any other crystalized these influences into the English Regency style. Hope’s ideas were widely followed by Sheraton, George Smith and other designers and craftsman, and scholars, art-historians, connoisseurs, collectors, decorators and designers.