Associated with the Vincent family seat of ‘Summerhill’ Clonlara, Co. Clare. The chairs are likely to have been brought to Muckross by Arthur Rose Vincent c. 1910, upon his marriage to Maud Bowers Bourn.
The two chairs, with their good quality, fantasy-style carvings, are similar but not identical. The square, claw feet hint at a possible Georgian-period date (c. 1714-1830).
Each arm rest terminates in a carved animal head. The uprights of the sloping backrest are decorated with a Vitruvian scroll-type decoration. At top a central bearded face with possible stylised head-dress, is flanked on either side by a winged, long-tailed dragon, or griffin.
The upholstery is of red and gold silk damask. It is held in place by relatively modern upholstery tacks and has a French-stitched edging. The stuffing is probably of horse hair.