A pair of Charles II carved oak backstools, South Yorkshire / West Riding third quarter 17th century

the back uprights with stippled chevron pattern, the rail backs with scallop and scroll motifs and impressed disc motifs, the panelled recessed seats above square and bobbin turned legs joined by stretchers

The John Fardon Collection, (cited by Chinnery op. cit. p. 573)

One chair illustrated Victor Chinnery, Oak Furniture, The British Tradition, Woodbridge, 1979, fig. 4:141.

and

Tobias Jellinek, Early British Chairs and Seats from 1500 to 1700, Woodbridge, Forthcoming (2009), pl. 410.

 

Lovely colour. One chair with repair at the scrolled surmount of the right upright.and loss to a scallop motif on the mid-rail and some scallop motifs with chipping. Typical separation to seat. Underside of seat with later baton. All legs re-tipped and the rear legs with spliced timber. Evidence of re-pegging. Rear seat rail with fragmenting. Evidence of replaced pegging. The other backstool from the pair with fractured and repaired back rail. One of these repairs now detached again. Chips and losses to scallops. Typical separation on seat. Evidence of re-pegging. Partial splits in uprights. Feet re-tipped and rear legs with some spliced timber. Both of the chairs have slightly loose frames.
"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."

For a discussion on this type of backstool see Victor Chinnery, Oak Furniture, The British Tradition, 1979, pp. 478 - 480

Although backstools which feature such detailing are commonly referred to as 'Derbyshire' chairs Victor Chinnery attributes this particular back pattern with two arched cross splats as originating from the South Yorkshire / West Riding area. He writes 'The double cross splat backstool (Figures 4:139-144, 147-150) is a firmly entrenched pattern in Yorkshire, with a wide variation in individual treatments as confirmed by the illustrations'  (op. cit. p. 480)