A PAIR OF EARLY VICTORIAN TUFTED LEATHER MAHOGANY LEATHER ARMCHAIRS, CIRCA 1844, in the Voltaire chair fashion, presented as a his and hers pair, his with elaborate plume issuing acorn and oak leaf sprigs, and hers with a restrained arched bonnet top, over dramatically arched crestrails carved in deep relief with a Gresham grasshopper above an unfurling crest with a Thomas Gresham style monogram, "TG," matching the wrought iron gates of London's Royal Exchange, over the shield form burgundy leather upholstered back within bold scrolling leaves on wide tapering stiles, above a like leather upholstered rectangular seat within volute carved arms with large upholstered arm rests with scrolling hand terminals, raised on lappet carved swan neck supports, on four baluster turned legs with banner carved knees, and raised on casters. Note: A curious pair carved with iconography related to the historic financial institution, the London Exchange. The London Exchange was established by Thomas Gresham in 1565, and is his legacy along with Gresham College, both of which still stand today. Gresham was the wealthiest merchant in London in 1560. Closed twice for fires, but otherwise operating in perpetuity well into modern times. In 1838 the London Exchange burned down and was reopened in 1844, at which time a great banquet and ceremony occured. The building was bombed in WWII. The chairs bear both a monogram found on the iron gates of the historic building, and the grasshopper famously found on the weathervane of the London Exchange. Height: 54.00" Width: 26.00" Depth: 27.00"