A pair of George III giltwood armchairs in the manner of Mayhew and Ince circa 1775

Re-gilt.

Overall good restored condition; re-gilt; each chair possibly with old repairs to the cresting rails at joins with stiles, which are difficult to verify because of the re-gilding; the first with patches to the left and right rails at the outside edge; age crack to foot of back right leg; plug to back of right stile above join with armrest; each with later corner blocks and with areas of old worm; overall both with minor chips and wear to gilding.
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.

An armchair from Syon House, Middlesex, illustrated in Macquoid and Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, vol. I, fig., is almost identical to the present pair of chairs.  Almost certainly made by the London firm of Mayhew and Ince, who worked at Syon for the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, this pair of chairs also shares a characteristic found on the firm's furniture as well as that of Thomas Chippendale's workshop: cuts to the underframing for glue cramps and batten holes for securing the chair in a crate when shipped.  The difference between seat furniture made by Mayhew and Ince and that of Chippendale is the armrests of chairs made by the former firm usually are joined to the front legs whereas the armrests on Chippendale chairs are usually (but not always) joined to the side rails.  

A similar pair of armchairs is illustrated, Arthur S. Vernay, Spring 1952 catalogue, p. 6