A very fine and rare Queen Anne carved and figured walnut side chair, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania circa 1760

The chair is marked V and slip seat frame is marked V. Retains a dark historic surface.

The chair is marked V and VI; retains original slip seat and is marked V; proper right front leg is loose and appears to at one time have been reglued at junction of seat rails and knee returns have been renailed at proper right front leg; there is a 1 1/4 by 1/4 inch patch to proper right top corner of seat lip; there is a 1/4 by 1/4 inch chip to proper left corner seat lip. Frames not microanalyzed.
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.

This side chair is a superb interpretation of Philadelphia Queen Anne seating furniture with a design, construction and carving of premium quality. From the volute-carved crestrail, to the silhouette of the vase-shaped splat, curved stiles, balloon seat rail, and contour of the cabriole legs, this chair achieves a grace and symmetry rarely encountered in contemporary Philadelphia chairs.

A side chair stemming from a closely related set differing in the paneled trifid feet is in the collection of the Henry Ford Museum and illustrated in Helen Comstock, American Furniture, Atglen, PA, 1962, no. 167. Other related chairs are in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Milwaukee Art Museum and Bayou Bend (see Morrison Heckscher, American Furniture in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1985, nos. 40-41, pp. 85-6 and David Warren, et al, American Decorative Arts and Paintings in the Bayou Bend Collection, Houston, 1997, no. F46, p. 27). Another in a private collection is illustrated as a "masterpiece" in Albert Sack, The New Fine Points of Furniture, New York, 1993, p. 32.