Late 20th Century Nicholas James Ltd. London Custom English Dining Set — Refectory Table With 8 George II Chippendale Mahogany Chairs

Details

Description

A magnificent eleven-piece dining ensemble by Nicholas James Ltd., the prestigious London-based Custom English Cabinet Makers known for crafting heirloom-quality … Read more A magnificent eleven-piece dining ensemble by Nicholas James Ltd., the prestigious London-based Custom English Cabinet Makers known for crafting heirloom-quality reproductions of classical English furniture. Acquired from British Antique Importers of Sarasota, Florida, this set represents the very best of late 20th-century traditional English cabinetmaking — handcrafted in solid mahogany using traditional joinery and finishes, with the original engraved brass maker's plaque still affixed to the underside.
Nicholas James Ltd. operated from London with a Sarasota showroom, supplying America's most discerning collectors of fine English furniture from the 1980s through the 2000s. Their pieces are increasingly sought-after on the secondary market for their honest construction, period-appropriate proportions, and the kind of hand-craftsmanship rarely seen in contemporary production.
THE TABLE — French Country Refectory Style Draw-Leaf Dining Table
A dramatically scaled refectory-style dining table built in the 17th–18th century European country tradition. The thick plank top is constructed of wide individual planks lined with rows of hand-forged iron nail heads, with surfaces that have been intentionally hand-distressed to evoke centuries of family use. A traditional draw-leaf extension mechanism allows the two end leaves to slide out from beneath the main top, expanding the seating capacity from 8 to 10–12. Hand-cut scalloped apron, elegant cabriole legs with carved scroll knees, and pad / slipper feet complete the design.
THE CHAIRS — Set of 8 George II / Philadelphia Chippendale Style Mahogany Dining Chairs (2 arm + 6 side)
A handsome and substantial set of carved mahogany chairs in the Philadelphia Chippendale taste — combining the graceful Queen Anne–derived vase-form splat with the bolder Chippendale-period ball-and-claw feet and acanthus-carved knees. Each chair features:

A hand-carved shell and scroll crest rail centered with a scallop shell flanked by C-scrolls
A figured/burr mahogany vase-form splat with distinctive flame-grain veneer
A shaped, serpentine slip seat newly upholstered in clean neutral oatmeal woven fabric
A scalloped front apron centered with a hand-carved shell motif
Boldly carved acanthus leaves at the knees
The signature carved ball-and-claw foot at each front leg
Rear legs in classic raked / splayed form

The two armchairs add gravitas at the heads of the table with elegantly scrolled cabriole arms — befitting the host and hostess seats.
A genuine collector's set. The combination of a substantial French country refectory table with formally carved Philadelphia Chippendale–style chairs creates exactly the kind of layered, lived-in elegance that today's leading interior designers favor for English country, modern country house, transitional, and high-end traditional interiors.
Structurally sound throughout. Distressing on the table is intentional and original to the manufacture. Chair frames are tight; slip seats appear recently reupholstered in clean, on-trend neutral fabric. Original Nicholas James Ltd. brass maker's plaque, British Antique Importers retailer label, and "Made in Indonesia" tag remain affixed to the underside — providing complete provenance. See less