An assembled pair of George III giltwood armchairs in the manner of Thomas Chippendale cicra 1770

Variations to carving, re-gilt.

Property of a Nobleman

Sold, Christie's, London, June 23, 1983, lot 29

Hotspur Ltd., London, from whom acquired in 1986

Variations to carving; overall good restored condition; regilt; chair 1 with small age cracks to cresting rail at lines of construction; back left leg possibly with old repaired break; minor old worm to underside of seat rails; chair 2 with minor age cracks to cresting rail at lines of construction; the left armrest support with small age cracks to top possibly with repaired break; front right leg with old repaired cracks to top with some inpaiting to undersides at joins with rails; repaired chip to underside of back and left rail; underside of right and left rail with a screw at join with armrest support; overall with minor chips, scratches, rubbing and wear to gilding; later gilding obscuring possible later repairs.
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.

In the French taste, with cartouche-shaped backrests and husk-carved frames, serpentine aprons centered by a foliate clasp and cabriole legs headed by C-scrolls and continuing to pendent husks and both front and back scrolled feet, the present armchairs relate to the documented work of Thomas Chippendale.  A related suite of seat furniture, including ten armchairs and three sofas, was supplied by Chippendale in 1766 to Sir Lawrence Dundas for the Long Drawing Room at 19 Arlington Street, London; an armchair is illustrated, C. Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, 1978, vol. II, p. 105, fig. 177; see also the David Garrick suite of seat furniture, sold Christie's, New York, Property from the Estate of Mary, Viscountess Rothermere, April 16, 1994, lots 142-143, for a related model with painted decoration.  A related model, almost certainly supplied by Chippendale in the 1760s to Sir Robert Burdett, 4^th Baronet at Foremark Hall in Derbyshire, was offered, Christie's, London, July 6, 2000, lot 56.

A set of four painted and parcel-gilt chairs of the same model was sold, Christie's, London, June 26, 1975, lot 14.