A set of four George III style mahogany armchairs late 19th century, based on a design by Thomas Chippendale

with pierced `chinese'  trelliswork throughout and sprung damask upholstery

William Lever, 1st Viscount Leverhulme, at Thornton Manor by 1998 as part of a suite of seat furniture comprising one settee, 8 armchairs and 4 side chairs, all transferred to the Music Room at The Hill (Leverhulume's house in Hampstead London). The present four armchairs returned to Thornton Manor by 1915 and the remainder of the suite deposited at the Lady Lever Art Gallery (LL4076-84);
William Hulme Lever, 2nd Viscount Leverhulme, in the Adams room at Thornton Manor by 1949
Sold Sotheby's, The Leverhulme Collection, Thornton Manor, Wirral, Merseyside, 26-28th June 2001, lot 214

Herbert Cescinsky, English Furniture of the Eighteenth Century, vol.2, 1909-11, p. 316, fig. 352
Anon., `Sir William Lever's Collection of Furniture-III,' The Architectural Review, July 1911, p. 17
Percy Macquoid, English Furniture, Tapestry and Needlework of XVIth-XIXth Centuries - A Record of the Collection in the Lady Lever Art Gallery, 1928, p. 54
Lucy Wood, The Upholstered Furniture in The Lady Lever Art Gallery, 2008, 2 vols., vol II, pp. 583-594

Good overall condition. Minor old marks and scratches
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

These four chairs form part of a suite of eight armchairs, four side chairs and a settee, the remainder of which is now preserved in The Lady Lever Art Gallery. Interestingly, whilst all the present chairs are of late 19th century manufacture, the four side chairs, one armchair and the settee in the Lady Lever Art Gallery are mid-18th century.

The present chairs relate to a design for a `Chinese Chair' published by Thomas Chippendale in The Gentleman and Cabinet-Makers Director, 3rd edition, 1762, pl XXVIII. They are designated as `Designs of Chairs after the Chinese Manner, and are very proper for a Lady's Dressing-Room: especially if it is hung with India Paper. They will Likewise suite Chinese Tempels (sic).'

A comparable 18th century chair, equally indebted to this design from Chippendale's Director, sold Christie's, London, 13 November 1997, lot 78.