A George III mahogany hall chair circa 1765

Overall good restored condition; the central oval medallion of backrest possibly originally painted with a coat of arms or a crest, backrest with some minor chips to the carving; chip to scroll carving of bottom left of backrest at join with seat; old repaired breaks at joins of backrest and seat rail now with infilling and plugs to the back stiles; back left leg lacking both brackets; underside of seat with later glue blocks; later supports to underside of seat at join with back rail, some later brackets; age cracks to front corners of apron; overall with old marks, scratches, scuffs and bruises.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Hall chairs, according to Sheraton in The Cabinet Dictionary, 1803, were 'for the use of servants or strangers waiting on business.  – They are generally made all of mahogany, with turned seats and the crest or arms of the family painted on the centre of the back.'  This hall chair, its elaborately carved and the pierced backrest centered by a cabochon, appears to have design elements taken from several sources, including Ince and Mayhew, The Universal System of Household Furniture, 1762, pl. IV, Thomas Chippendale, The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director,  3^rd ed., 1763, pls. XVII and XVIII, and probably most directly from Robert Manwaring, The Cabinet and Chair-Maker's Real Friend and Companion, pl. 3, the backrest with a cabochon painted with a coat of arms.  Cf. a pair of George III mahogany hall armchairs with similarly carved backrests, The Hyde Park Collection, 1989, pp. 168-169.  An almost identical hall chair was sold in these rooms October 21, 2004, lot 337.