A pair of Aesthetic Movement oak and caned 'Dining Room Chairs' by Asahel Pilkington Bell (1846 - 1891) and George Freeth Roper (1843 - 1892)

Each with a central caned back panel flanked by arching sides leading to a caned seat on turned front legs and turned stretchers.

England, circa 1878

Provenance: Collection of Paul Reeves

Condition: In wonderful original condition



These chairs were designed for Herman Schill's Northenden House near Manchester by Asahel Pilkington Bell and George Freeth Roper, the architects of the house, and executed by Kendal, Milne & Co.

This model is illustrated in The British Architect. Vol. 10. London: The British Architect Office, 1878. pp. 303, 313, 365.



Bell & Roper established their architectural practice in 1876. Their partnership was dissolved in 1879 but later revived in 1887, continuing until Bell's death in 1891.

Roper had been apprenticed early in his career to E. W. Godwin, whose influence is reflected in his artistic taste. In an 1892 obituary, fellow architect T.Raffles Davison described him as bring- ing 'a refinement and gracefulness with all he did, such as was peculiarly his own,' and noted his 'genuine intuition of what was architecturally sound and good.' There is little documented evidence of Bell's early career.