- 134
Scottish Provincial School, 19th century
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
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Description
- Commemorative Armchair
- branded to the underside: FI, TT and JD
- Yew, oak, metal, moonstone and horn
- Probably made in the Highlands or Islands of Scotland in the second quarter of the 19th century.
bog yew and bog-oak, metal inlay, moonstone, horn, profusely carved with text
Condition
Amazing colour and patina. The central finial surmount has been fractured at some point and crudely repaired. Loss of the right hand cruciform finial. The right hand arm is loose. The piece has sculptural quality and great presence.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
The extraordinary text employed in the design of this wonderful chair is hard to decode but has a central theme from the Old Testament and relates to the Flood, interesting when the use of bog oak and bog yew is considered; an excavated material traditionally thought to have been buried during the deluge. The text can roughly be read as follows but could be put together in a number of ways:
'Dear Friends, When Looking at this chair, bring to mind those terriable [terrible] bygone days when those two fresh green trees standing alive where [were] hewn or layed, and for thousands [of] years there [their] resting places has been as one with that bed of clay. Those condemed [condemnend] wrecked trees have bend [bent] there [their] heads two [to] our almight [almighty] King / Wreck of Noah Flood. Drowned, haped [in Scots read as covered] up, an buried in that great almighty sea; before it where [were/was] brought up today and for a proof of the Holy Book I have made into a chair'