A pair of early Victorian walnut D-shaped 'hall' or 'window' seats by Holland and Sons 1850-1860 Each with a lappet and lotus leaf wrapped seat frame, on a central volute scrolled, panelled, channelled and overlapping disc-clasped front leg headed by a berried foliate carved cartouche, terminating in a lion paw foot, with two splayed square section rear legs, the T-shaped stretcher with an ogee moulded edge, each seat stamped: 'HOLLAND & SONS', 125cm wide x 58cm deep x 43cm high, (49in wide x 22 1/2in deep x 16 1/2in high) (2) Footnotes: An identical Holland and Sons mid 19th century walnut seat, albeit a much larger 'centre' seat model to the offered lot, sold Christie's, London, 23 November 2006, lot 26. This same example subsequently also sold Christie's, London, 22 January 2009, Important English Furniture and Clocks, lot 124. Both the present pair of smaller 'hall' or 'window' versions, together with the aforementioned comparable, appear to closely follow an impressive set of gallery centre seats famously made by Holland and Sons for the Royal Academy, Piccadilly, where some can still be found today. One of these leather upholstered originals, which are typically very large and of elongated oval form with a centrally located back support, sold Christie's, London, 22 September 2011, The Opulent Eye - 500 Years Decorative Arts: Europe, lot 73. Holland and Sons was first established as Taprell and Holland in 1803 in reference to its two founders, Stephen Taprell and William Holland. Following a brief period in which the firm was known as Taprell, Holland & Son, c.1835-43, William Holland gained sole command of the firm after the retirement from the business of the senior partner, Stephen Taprell. From 1843 onwards they were known as Holland and Sons and were quick to obtain numerous exclusive and significant commissions, as well as working for important clients. Indeed by 1851, when the company was based in Mount Street and employed 351 people, Queen Victoria had already commissioned the execution of numerous exceptional pieces of furniture for the Royal households of Balmoral, Sandringham, Windsor and Osborne House. During the latter half of the 19th century, Holland and Sons also supplied furniture for such notable London clubs as the Athenaeum, the Reform club and the Oxford and Cambridge club. On top of furnishing a number of government buildings, the firm also supplied pieces for various British and European exhibitions, including the famous Great Exhibition of 1851. Their output included works in a vast array of revival styles ranging from Louis XV, Louis XVI and Neoclassical, Elizabethan and Gothic, to name but a few. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: TP TP For auctions held in Scotland: Lots will be moved to an offsite storage location (Constantine, Constantine House, North Caldeen Road, Coatbridge ML5 4EF, Scotland, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue and/or after-sale information, sent out to all buyers post-sale. For all other auctions: Lots will be moved to an offsite storage location (The Packengers, Unit 9, Abbey Mead Industrial Park, Brooker Road, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1HU, England, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue and/or after-sale information, sent out to all buyers post-sale. Please note transfer and storage charges will apply to any lots not collected after 10 calendar days from the auction date. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing