The Stokes Family Very Fine and Rare Chippendale Carved Mahogany Side Chair, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, circa 1765

The chair is marked III.

Purportedly descended in the Stokes family of Philadelphia;
Israel Sack, Inc., New York;
Ivor and Anne Massey, New York;
Christie's, New York, Important Americana, January 16, 1996, sale 8840, lot 464.

Israel Sack, Inc., American Antiques From Israel Sack Collection, Vol. 2, (Washington, DC: Highland House Press, 1969), p. 436, P1085.

Overall in good condition. Some light scratches, abrasions, and small dents with the most visible being to the proper left scroll of the top rail and to the edges of the bottoms of the stiles.
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.

With its interlacing strapwork splat, robustly carved crest rails and legs, and fluted stiles this chair stands as an archetype for Philadelphia rococo seating furniture.  A nearly identical chair was identified as “Superior” by Albert Sack in The New Fine Points of Furniture (New York: Crown Publishers, Inc., 1993), p. 44.  Thomas Smith Hopkins and Walter Scott Cox in Colonial Furniture of West Jersey, (Haddonfield, New Jersey: Historical Society of Haddonfield, 1936), pl. 42, p. 88 illustrate another closely related chair. A chair in the collection of the Milwaukee Art Museum shares many if the same attributes but the central shell on the front seat rail is inverted (see Brock Jobe, et.al., American Furniture with Related Decorative Arts, 1660-1830: The Milwaukee Art Museum and the Layton Art Collection (New York: Hudson Hill Press, 1991), no. 59, pp.159-60).