A Regency oak and caned armchair attributed to George Oakley circa 1810

Front and left side seat rails possibly replaced.

Sold, Christie's, London, April 14, 1988, lot 17

E. Joy, English Furniture 1800-1851, 1977, p. 58 (possibly the same or from the same suite)

Overall good restored condition; the cresting rail with minor inpainted age cracks with two possible replaced chips to bottom corners; variations to carving of lions' heads; the front and left side seat rails possibly replaced; the underside of the right armrest support with two drilled holes; blocks to supporting armrest supports possible later; age crack to center of each lion's mask; chips and wear to carving of molded edges of legs; overall with some old 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.

The attribution to George Oakley for this armchair is based on a suite of seat furniture supplied to Thomas, 2^nd Marquess of Bath (1765-1837) for the library at Longleat.  A pair of related armchairs was sold, Christie's, Longleat, June 13, 2002, lot 361 and later sold, Christie's, New York, October 14, 2004, lot 232 ($47,500).  The chimerical armrest support is possibly derived from Thomas Sheraton's The Cabinet Dictionary, 1803, pl. 2., no. 4, depicting the side view of an armchair with an imbricated downswept support in the form of a dolphin; the klismos backrest seen in the designs of Thomas Hope in Household Furniture and Interior Decoration, 1807.  Similar armchairs are illustrated: E. T. Joy, English Furniture 1800-1851, 1977, p. 83 (sold, Sotheby's, London, The Property of the Late Wilfred Evill, Esq., July 12, 1963, lot 87).

A suite of seat furniture attributed to Marsh and Tatham, supplied to William, 3^rd Viscount Courtenay and later 9^th Earl of Devon for Powderham Castle, Devon, has related armrest supports; see Christie's, London, July 5, 1990, lots 50-51.