An English carved oak panel back armchair mid-16th century

the arrow and lozenge inset cresting formerly with inlay, the twin panelled back with lozenge and flower head motifs, the high arms on octagonal waisted supports, the boarded seat above conforming octagonal legs, restorations

Illustrated Tobias Jellinek, Early British Chairs and Seats from 1500 to 1700, Woodbridge, Forthcoming (2009), pl. 66.

Good patina throughout and with intense wear and traces of worm. A lot of fragmenting to the seat and some residual patched repairs. Loss of inlay to the cresting rail and the right back upright with old repair and replaced timber insert prominent on the reverse of this site and with worm fragmenting and partial loss. Partial patched repairs in the back panels. The left arm with old partial fragmented loss on front left side. The front right leg is a sympathetic replacement. The seat rails with partial splits, some re-pegging and old fragmenting. Under frame of seat with later baton and later corner brackets. Slight movement in seat frame.Fragmenting and wear to legs and feet. This armchair is a very honest survivor.
"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 twin panel back, high arms and octagonal legs would appear to be characteristics that support the early date of this armchair. Sotheby's has sold another early chair see The Clive Sherwood Collection, Sotheby's Olympia, 22nd May 2002, lot 256, this chair also featured stylised flower carving arranged around lozenge motifs - although in this case more square than rectangular. Also see a press cupboard sold Nyetimber Manor, Sotheby's Olympia, 27th September 2001, lot 1044. This cupboard had stylised geometric motifs and octagonal pillar supports like the offered lot and was dated to the middle of the 16th century.