RDS President's Chair
Title
RDS President's Chair
Creator
Date
Identifier
RDS_treasures_534_Mannin_President's chair.jpg
Description
A George III carved giltwood armorial armchair, designed by James Mannin and made by Richard Cranfield in 1767, the shaped, rectangular padded back in a moulded frame carved with cornucopia issuing wheatsheaves and fruit and surmounted by the Royal Dublin Society oval medallion incorporating Minerva (the emblem of the Royal Dublin Society since the mid-1740s), the base carved with the motto NOSTRI PLENA LABORIS (Our work bears fruit) and surmounted by ribbon ties and a plaque inscribed CHAIR FOR THE PRESIDING MEMBER AT THE ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY’S MEETINGS DESIGNED BY JAMES MANNIN MASTER OF THE SCHOOL OF ORNAMENTAL DRAWING AND MADE BY T. [SIC] CRANFIELD. 1767., the serpentine upholstered seat flanked by arms carved as acanthus leaf scrolls, terminating in circular moulded and covered rests, the supports carved as dolphins, the gadrooned chair rail centred by confronting acanthus foliage and on acanthus-carved and moulded cabriole supports and scrolled toes, headed by stylised harebells.
James Mannin was Master of the Royal Dublin Society School of Ornamental Drawing.
James Mannin was Master of the Royal Dublin Society School of Ornamental Drawing.
Source
RDS Treasures Collection
Contributor
Rights
Copyright RDS Library & Archives. Publication, transmission or display is prohibited without formal written approval of the RDS Library & Archives.
Relation
RDS Library & Archives
Format
Furniture
Coverage
1767
Original Format
Giltwood, leather-upholstered
Physical Dimensions
160.2 x 97.8 cm
Collection
Citation
Mannin, James -1779, “RDS President's Chair,” RDS Digital Archive, accessed July 14, 2025, https://digitalarchive.rds.ie/items/show/3991.