A very fine and rare pair of Queen Anne carved and figured walnut side chairs, Boston, Massachusetts circa 1750

The chairs marked I and III.  The chairs retain a dark possibly original surface. Slip seat frames replaced.

Appear to retain an old historic surface; slip seats replaced; chairs were once overupholstered; chairs marked I and III; chair I with the proper left diagonal brace restored; proper right front side knee return restored; chair III with a 1 inch by 1/4 inch patch proper left rear foot; proper right side knee return replaced.
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.

These side chairs are part of a large group of Queen Anne high-style seating furniture made by several different cabinet shops in Boston in the 1740s and 1750s. From the curved stiles and dramatically figured veneered splats with Cupid's-bow shoes to the volute-shaped knee returns with shell carving, this group of chairs follows a design directly based upon English chairs in the George II style. All of the chairs are nearly identical, with the greatest variations occurring in the treatment of the crest rail. Because of their New York histories, they were previously attributed to New York but later recognized as part of the export market from Boston (see Leigh Keno, Joan Barzilay Freund, and Alan Miller, "The Very Pink of the Mode: Boston Georgian Chairs, Their Export and Their Influence," American Furniture 1996, pp. 267-306). As a group, they speak to the sophistication of the craft traditions and mercantile network in Boston.

For other chairs from this group, see a side chair illustrated in John Kirk, American Chairs, Queen Anne and Chippendale, New York, 1972, no. 131, p. 114 as lent to the Museum of the City of New York by Anderson C. Bouchelle and one in the collection of the U.S. Department of State has a history of descent from John Aspinwall (1707-1774) of New York (see Clement Conger and Alexandra Rollins, Treasures of State, New York, 1991, no. 11, p. 92). Another example was included in the exhibition "Opulence and Splendor: The New York Chair, 1690-1830" held at Bernard & S. Dean Levy in 1984. One with a history of descent in the Yates family of Schenectady is in the collection of the New York State Museum (see John Scherer, New York Furniture at the New York State Museum, Alexandria, 1983, p. 9). An additional example made of cedrela was exhibited as part of Useful Beauty: Early American Decorative Arts from St. Louis Collections at the Saint Louis Art Museum in 1999 (see accompanying catalogue by David Conradsen, no. 5, p. 24).