A SET OF TWELVE GEORGE III CARVED MAHOGANY DINING CHAIRS circa 1785

including two arm chairs and ten side chairs, each with a shield shaped back with a molded frame, the pierced splats centered by Prince of Wales' plumes and flanked by swagged drapery issuing from flower heads, the upholstered seats with serpentine fronts and supported on square tapered and molded legs with H-stretchers; the rails with fragmentary printed and typed labels: ... Hall Collection / Accession No # 761 / Specimen No 292 / Catalogue No Gertrude H. Camp Loan Collection / Object Hepplewhite Shield Back Chair / Remarks English mahogany rarely found in sets / Date Apr 1928 Elizabeth Jordan / Curator, Independence Hall.

The Collection of Gertrude H. Camp

Independence Hall, Philadelphia, April 1928

The eight side chairs in overall good condition, with a good old waxed surface with a fine patination. The legs with the usual old scratches and rubbing to the edges. Some old age cracks to the pierced decoration of the backs, and also to the joints. One chair with old repaired breaks at lower part of the frame to the back. Some later cross-ties and one lacking. Old tacking damage and losses to seat rails overall and with signs of old worm damage. One shoe lacking. Later chairs in overall good condition, all upholstery with old stains and imperfections.
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.

With their shield shaped backs ornamented with drapery and Prince of Wales' feathers, are related to a number of designs published in the late 18^th century by A. Hepplewhite & Company in The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Guide, first published in 1778, and Thomas Sheraton's The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Drawing Book, first published in 1793. An identical side chair is illustrated by Max Robertson, Going for a Song, London, 1971, p. 83, fig. 30.