A pair of South German neoclassical ebonized, fruitwood and transfer-printed armchairs, attributed to Johann George Hiltl (1771-1845) Munich, circa 1820

each with a shell-shaped backrest decorated with Neptune and Venus respectively, serpentine armrests and drop-in seat raised on legs carved with dolphins; engraved with mermaids and tritons.

G. Himmelheber, Biedermeier Möbel, Munich 1987.

With some scattered construction and age cracks - not extensive. Some minor losses, lifting and cracks to veneer. Rubbing and minor losses to gilding and ebonized areas, some now refreshed. Slightly affected by worm. In overall good condition. Unusual and attractive design.
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.

Johann Georg Hiltl (1771-1845) was a Munich based cabinetmaker who perfected a technique for transfer-printing designs on furniture. His pieces are frequently decorated in black on veneered grounds, often in burr maple with green staining. He supplied an obelisk for the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria in 1810 when he was characterized as 'der berühmte Möbelfabrikant' by the Journal des Luxus und der Moden, G. Himmelheber, op. cit., p. 49. He clearly had training as a printmaker as a lithograph from 1824 survives depicting in some detail the interior of Queen Caroline's Salon in the Residenz, illustrated in B. Langer et al. op. cit., p. 73.

An armoire from the Turn und Taxis collection, Schloss Regensburg and a secrétaire from the Bayersche Staatskanzlei, both with very similar decoration, are illustrated in Himmelheber, op. cit., 1987, figs. 76 and 83.

Another important group of furniture attributed to Hiltl was probably commissioned by Count Carl Leopold von Maldeghem for the Schlöss Niederstotzingen upon his marriage in 1821. The furniture was subsequently sold by his heirs at Christie's Amsterdam, 24 March, 1999, lots 218, 244, 247 and 261.