Hepplewhite Mahogany Open Armchair

This fine mahogany late 18th century armchair ($1500) and side chair ($700) are in the finest British Hepplewhite tradition. However, they were made in North Germany. George Hepplewhite gave his name to a whole style of furnishings in the late 18th century. This style neatly follows Chippendale and leads into Sheraton. We have George's widow to thank for this felicity. It was she who assembled George's furniture designs and published them in a guide, following Thomas Chippendale's famous marketing coup. Hence British design flourished in America, as well as Denmark, Scandinavia and the German countries. The North German joiners have given the standard English design a little local flair by adding the arch at the base of the back. Otherwise they might be indistinguishable from the products of Bristol or London.