A set of six George III carved giltwood chairs, attributed to Thomas Chippendale, circa 1770

with a padded back and seat on carved cabriole legs, two covered in silk with laurel wreath, two with silk featuring a repeated rosette motif and two with silver and gold foliate patterned silk, re-gilt, with cramp-cuts and baton carrying holes

A Private European Collection, Christie's London, 17 June 2009, lot 45.

Good quality. Some chips to carved detail and later gesso surface. Re-gilt. Some chairs re-blocked. Sturdy. Upholstery in two patterns and in good order. The underside of each would have had a lining but this does not detract.
"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."

The distinctive leg pattern on the current chairs closely related to that a set of a set of four giltwood armchairs supplied by Thomas Chippendale for the Couch Room at Harewood House, Yorkshire circa 1769 and illustrated in C.Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1978, p.108, pl.182. Gilbert also illustrates another armchair from a set of six in a private collection which has a similarly designed leg pattern but with the differences to the carved decoration on the frame (C.Gilbert, ibid., p.108, pl.183) which he cites as an example of un-documented chairs that correspond to a workshop pattern and are highly likely to be attributable to Chippendale's workshop. The current chairs also have the constructional cramp cuts which are characteristic of Chippendale's workshop.