Description
Sir Cecil Bisshopp inherited Parham Park in 1779 and updating began immediately. Invoices for Parham totalling £1,165 from Ince and Mayhew, prepared in July 1782 clearly describe a set of 10 elbow chairs (£47 15s) with the same carving and a large sofa en suite (£18), finished in double burnished gold and picked out in white. This is almost certainly the same sofa.
These were placed in the Summer Tea Room, the most richly furnished room in the house, and upholstered in brass-nailed green silk.
Thanks to Charlie Cator for his help identifying this.
A comprehensive review of this commission can be found in Industry and Ingenuity, the partnership of William Ince and John Mayhew, Hugh Roberts and Charles Cator, PWP, 2002 p196-206 An invaluable and detailed survey of one of the great furnishing businesses of the second half of the 18th century which identifies beyond doubt not only the house style but specific commissions and the pieces delivered to the clients property. Highly recommended.
