A George II walnut wing armchair circa 1730

the padded back and shaped sides with outscrolled arms covered in a cream silk damask on lion mask capped cabriole legs with foliate carved ears and claw-and-ball feet

The Earl of Harewood, Harewood House, Leeeds, Yorkshire, sold Christie's, London, 1 April 1976, lot 38.

Edward A Nowell, Wells, Somerset.

Kentshire Galleries, Ltd., New York.

Collection of Theodore and Ruth Baum, Sotheby's New York,  22 October 2004, lot 405.

 

Overall an attractive chair in good clean condition and ready to use with minor old marks and scratches consistent with age and use. There is a more recent scuff to the eyebrow of the mask on the chair's left front leg. Minor restorations to the underframe seatrail. Some replacemtn angle brackets. Minor scuffing to feet. For further information on this Lot, please contact the English Furniture Department on 00 44 (0) 207 293-5470.
"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 some thirty lots sold by the Earl of Harewood in Christie's sale were described in the catalogue as 'removed from the store at Harewood House' and included a number of items which had been supplied by Thomas Chippendale to Edwin Lascelles for Harewood House in the early 1770's.  The present chair, however, dates from some twenty years before this commission, and it is possible that it formed part of the furnishings of Chesterfield House, London.  Built for the Earl of Chesterfield in the mid 18th century, the house was subsequently occupied in the early 20th century by the sixth Earl of Harewood, after his marriage to the Princess Royal, until its demolition in 1937.  Much of its contents, including furniture, paintings and the magnificent wrought iron entrance screen were then transferred to Harewood.