A carved ash side chair, after a design by William Kent, elements possibly 18th century, the foliate scroll moulded top rail centred by a carved scallop shell, above square sectioned supports carved with bell flowers, the rectangular tapering seat above square sectioned scrolled legs headed by Venus masks carved with fish-scales and raised on acanthus leaf scrolled feet, The Venus masks, scallop shell and fish-scale decorative motifs were employed by William Kent and refer to the mythical birth of Venus and her emergence from the sea. Examples of this design of chair are present in the blue parlour room at Chiswick House. For a closely related chair see, Christie's, London, Important English Furniture inc. The Mermaid House Collection, 12th November 1998, Lot 39 (£23,000).