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A Fine Set of 14 William IV Period Dining Chairs From His Majesty's Ministerial Home Office
A Fine Set of 14 William IV Period Dining Chairs From His Majesty's Ministerial Home Office
Dimensions: H: 35.5 in / 90 cm | W: 19.5 in / 49 cm | D: 22 in / 56 cm
A Fine Set of 14 William IV Period Dining Chairs
From His Majesty's Ministerial Home Office
Constructed from mahogany, the chairs with turned and tapering reeded front legs terminating in lappet clasps, with buttoned leather padded backrests below the curved and moulded toprails and overstuffed leather seats. Each chair emblazoned with the 'HOME OF' stamps as well as "W R IV" beneath a crown; a further two chairs also stamped with the crown cypher of King George V (r. 1910-1936).
English, circa 1830
The markings on the back of each chair indicate that they were likely provided to the Home Office. The inclusion of King William IV's stamp means the set of chairs already formed part of the government offices during his reign from 1831-1837. The practice of stamping furniture in government offices in this way was uniform and there is similarly stamped furniture at the Privy Council Offices in Whitehall, for instance.
The presence of King George V's royal seal on two of the chairs shows the set was still part of the government inventories throughout King George V's reign, which lasted from 1910 until his passing in 1936.
THE HOME OFFICE
While many functions performed by The Home Office can be traced back to the 13th century, its formal establishment occurred during the Rockingham administration on March 27, 1782. However, it wasn't until the 1840s that the term "Home Office" gained official recognition. When this set of chairs was made for the Office, the Secretaries in charge were the future Prime Ministers, Lord Melbourne and Lord John Russell.
Provenance: The Home Office
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