Very Rare William and Mary Turned and Joined Maple Easy Chair, Boston, Massachusetts, Circa 1725

Collection of Philip Leffingwell Spalding, Milton, Massachusetts

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.

While this easy chair has lost a portion of its legs it is a rare survivor of which only ten with square cabriole legs exist.  Robert Trent discusses at length in his article "Boston Baroque Easy chairs, 1705-1740," American Furniture 2012, ed. Luke Beckerdite, (Milwaukee, WI: Chipstone Foundation , 2012), pp. 84-110 the differences and progression of the design through the first half of the eighteenth century.  The presently offered lot with its curved crest rail and boldly turned stretchers is most closely associate in design to a chair once in the John Kenneth Byard collection (ibid, p. 99, fig. 18).