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THE
GWYDIR CHAIRS
The
great chair of Sir "Long" Roger Mostyn, close friend,
neighbour and cousin of Sir Richard Wynn of Gwydir, bears
similarities to this cwpwrdd tridarn. The three-part division of the
back panel is of the same design as the lower cupboard doors, and the
carved shield bearing his initials and the date 1664 would also have
commemorated a special occasion. A particular favourite of the
district was the use of small circular motifs with a central swirl,
and is found on both pieces. The chair has unusual powerfully
downswept arms, a feature found on high-status Renaissance examples
in the previous occupant.
The
second chair has the same overall squarish shape, but has a
different appearance, with geometric mouldings of various patterns in
the panels and fine chip carving on the framework and arms. Made of
the pinkish-oak found at Gwydir, it has the family's fleur-de-lys as
finials and the initials and date "MW 1666" in ebony.
It
belonged to Morus Wynn who had been a merchant in Hamburg, returning
home to become an important official, holding the post of
Receiver-General for North Wales. Such a chair not only emphasised
his status, but the advanced European style of its decoration
reflected his connections and both chairs remained at Gwydir until
the final dispersal sale of 1921, and were featured in a pair of oil
paintings by the noted portrait artist Samuel Sidley in 1866, who was
a guest of the Duke of Ancaster at the time.
Ref: gwy1
Featured in: "Welsh Furniture 1250-1950"
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