Lot 202
  • 202

An important pair of George III painted and parcel-gilt drawing room sofas, retaining their original painted-cotton seat covers and upholstery Circa 1795

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 USD
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Description

the first sofa with cresting rail divided into three sections, the central section centered by a carved trophy with a battle axe crossed with an olive branch within an oval lozenge flanked by flaming torches and foliate acanthus lozenges, the left section centered by a martial trophy of a helmet and spear within a lozenge flanked by foliate berried laurel lozenges, the right section centered by a martial trophy of a shield and sword within a lozenge flanked by foliate berried laurel lozenges all within a beaded tablet and flanked by flower heads surmounted by gadrooned finials raised on stop-fluted columnar stiles with foliate capitals, the rectangular upholstered backrest painted with winged putti wrestling and seated amongst clouds within a canted rectangular plaque with beaded borders surmounted by a foliate urn above swirling acanthus grotesques and flanked by two winged caryatids and two kneeling winged putti holding baskets of fruit amidst foliate and floral grotesques all within a beaded border and painted with swirling acanthus to the square edge, the downswept armrests carved with trailing berried foliage and beading terminating in block-form handholds applied with flower-heads on tapered fluted acanthus-carved baluster supports enclosing rectangular upholstered side panels painted with winged caryatids amongst foliate grotesques and painted with swirling acanthus to the square edge, the bow-fronted drop-in seat with conforming decoration to the backrest and painted with swirling acanthus to the square edge, above a conforming seat rail with beaded moldings raised on circular turned fluted tapering legs carved with beading and stiff leaves headed by flowerheads and terminating in turned feet, marked with number 26.714 in red ink; the second sofa with cresting rail divided into three sections, the central section centered by a carved trophy of a winged trumpet and palm branch denoting Fame, the left section centered by a martial trophy of a cannon and cannon balls, the right section centered by a martial trophy of a drum and flag; the remnant of the backrest painted with winged putti seated amongst clouds with attributes of art and architecture, the back marked 26.715 in red ink.  Casters loose but present.

Provenance

George Granville Leveson-Gower, 2nd Marquess of Stafford, created Duke of Sutherland 1833 (1758-1833)

Thence probably by descent to his son, George Granville Leveson-Gower, 2nd Duke of Sutherland (1786-1861)

Possibly W. S. Hobson, Leicester

James Orrock, London, circa 1901

With French & Company, New York

Condition

Extremely fine sofas in very distressed condition with tattered remnants of their original painted fabric upholstery and in need of extensive sympathetic restoration; much of the original painted and parcel gilt decoration to backrests is still stable, most painted and parcel-gilt decoration to seats rails and legs with extensive losses and flaking; remarkable survival of late 18th century examples of superior upholstery techniques; all legs originally with casters, now there are a total of 12 out of 16, lacking 4; all chair frames, backrests and drop-in seat frames with Roman numerals to undersides First Distressed condition, tattered remnants of original upholstery, losses to finials, colonnettes to insides of padded sides off but extant, front legs slightly loose, slight warpage to back outside legs, bottoms of armrest supports lacing beading; lacking center cross brace to framing of underside Second Losses to finials and beading of armrest supports, slight warpage to back legs; left padded side cushion loose and off
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.