An exceptional pair of regency cove back mahogany library chairs, the backs being of figured mahogany with carved scroll brackets, the lathe turned tapering front legs surmounted by round paterae linked by reeded front seat rail and having sabre buck legs both standing on brass castors. Now upholstered in dark hide. Circa 1810

Specifications: Height: 32", Width: 26", Depth: 25"

Provenance: His Grace Euseby Clever, Lord Archbishop of Dublin. (1810)

Dr Tony Ryan (1985)


The chairs were supplied by Gillington of Dublin for Euseby Cleaver Lord Archbishop of Dublin from 1809 to 1820, for the Palace House, St. Stephens Green, Dublin, now the Kildare Street Club. They remained in the Synod Hall of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin until the early 1980’s.


The brothers George and Samuel Gillington are recorded at several addresses in Dublin between 1815 to 1838, but their retail premises and workshops were located in Abbey Street.


Archbishop Cleaver was educated at Winchester and Christ Church, Oxford. With the patronage of Lord Egremont, he was appointed in 1787 to be Chaplin to the Marquis of Buckingham, Viceroy of Ireland. He was raised to the See of Cork and Ross two years later and suffered greatly at the hands of the rebels during the revolt of 1798. Transferred to the See of Dublin in 1809, he was one of the first resident Primates of Ireland. His house was attacked and burnt by anti-English mobs in 1810 and he died in office in 1820.