A rare set of eleven George III painted Windsor X-frame armchairs circa 1800

in the manner of William Webb of Newington, Surrey, the low backs with pierced vase shaped fret-work splats, the dished seats with shaped aprons, the X-frame supports with turned bosses, including two embroidered cushions, probably re-decorated and originally cream in colour

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

In country house condition. Of attractive and used appearance. Comprising a lot of wear, paint losses, and some minor old fragmenting. A lot of exposed former white paint and the undersides of all the seats with white paint. Splits to seats. Some traces of worm. One chair with fragmenting on one arm. The reverse of another chair with two metal braces on the x-shaped supports. Another chair with a boss lacking at the front of the x-shaped supports. Some old repairs on the corners of the rear cresting rails and some separations on these sites. Some small fillets on the central intersections on the x-shaped joins are now lacking. One chair with a replaced front leg. All chairs of firm stance. Overall size 76cm. high, 57cm. wide, 42cm. deep. This is an extremely rare group and unlike the only other recorded example these chairs have a solid seat rather than slats. 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 rare set is unusual not just through the number of chairs that make it up, but through the form these chairs take. They combine elements often seen in hall chairs such as boarded seats and X-frame supports as well as attributes associated with Windsor chairs, such as shaped arm supports, stick backs and pierced splats.

Michael Harding-Hill illustrates a very fine example in his seminal text, Windsor Chairs, Woodbridge, 1979, p. 78 and 79. He writes 'This very rare chair was probably a veranda or garden chair. The paint is original and is in the late 18th/early 19th century style. I have never seen a chair of this style before and, as far, as I know, it has not been previously recorded. Although 'X' frame chairs have existed from the 16th century; the inspiration for the unusual leg arrangement is clearly from a Regency 'X' frame stool.

Harding-Hill also illustrates a trade card for William Webb of Newington, Surrey (fl.1792-1808). On this printed bill, Webb features a very similar chair to the offered lot.

It is interesting considering where at Newton these could have been placed. There is a 'Garden Corridor' or conservatory, although the set is perhaps too large for this space. Maybe they were a purchase for the Octagonal summer house (albeit a few decades after its construction in the 1760's). They certainely would have been an ideal choice for easily movable seating which could be placed against the walls of this space when not in use.