A Charles I oak panel back armchair, South West Region 2nd quarter 17th century

the carved scroll cresting above lozenge motifs, the lower back rail and the apron with guilloche, on columnar legs with peripheral stretchers

Illustrated Gordon Nares, Country Life, Newton Surmaville, Somerset - II, September 12th 1952, p. 761, fig. 3, in the hall.

In unrestored condition. The back panel with split. The rail at the base of the back panel with a lot of fragmenting. Traces of worm in the back panel. The right arm with partial loss of front scroll. The upper surfaces of the arms with a later bold screw and some filler. One turned arm support with a lot of fragmenting and crude screws and old repairs. The seat with splits and severe fragementing. The square feet with fragmenting and as a result are reduced in height. An atmospheric lot. To discuss this lot in greater detail please call Edward Rising or David Macdonald on 0207 293 5107 or 0207 293 5507.
"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."

This joined armchair shares characteristics seen on a group of furniture from the Salisbury area, notably the wood carver's use of a stylised guilloche, the columnar legs and moulded seat edge. The proximity of Yeovil to Salisbury supports this attribution. Victor Chinnery, Oak Furniture, The British Tradition, Woodbridge, 1979, p.451-453 illustrates a group of chairs from the Salisbury area. Whilst the chairs illustrated by Chinnery are of cacqueteuse form there are stylistic similarities and it is highly likely the chair has been at Newton Surmaville since its manufacture. These points, whilst not definitive, make a West Country link a credible attribution.