Christopher Dresser parlour chairs, ebonised and gilded over elm, sycamore and pine. 1877

These important chairs were designed by Christopher Dresser before 1870 and were commissioned for John Stephen Perry of ‘Linton’ in Sydney in 1877. To date these are the only known examples of this particular design.

The condition of these chairs was poor. Most of the original ebonised finish had been worn and weathered away. Evidence of the original gilt detail was found in the deep incised carving. Structurally the chairs were reasonably sound. Unfortunately the remnants of original finish could not be saved. Thus the chairs were re-ebonised in the traditional method, building over the original surface. The carved detail was then gilded.