A Pair of Indian Silvered Metal Throne Chairs and Table

Circa 1880, includes a pair of throne chairs clad in thick silver sheet that has been embossed, repoussed, chased and engraved and laid over the carved wood base, the ornate decorated openwork foliate frames have two seated lions on the front corners, padded oval back cushion and seat cushion in dark red velvet, comes together with a later matched silvered metal side table with similar decoration.

Chairs 59 x 26 1/2 x 27 in., Seat height 19 1/2 in.; Table 26 x 24 x 24 in.

Throne chairs played an important role in the conception of kingship among the princely states of India during the nineteenth century. Seated in state on a throne lined with silver (widely assumed to be a pure and purifying metal in India – the sacred Hindu texts all mention silver as an appropriate material for thrones of rulers), and magnificently dressed, the maharajas were the center of grand public spectacles. The most formal manifestation of this was the durbar, a court affair attended by the maharaja, perhaps his heir (necessitating the use of an additional throne chair), and key members of the government.

A similar chair was sold at Christie's, London 9 May 2006, Lot 88.

Some fading to velvet on chairs; both seat cushions with a hole exposing foam; one with spots to seat cover.