A George III carved mahogany armchair circa 1760

Almost certainly purchased by the present owner from John Beazor, Cambridge during the 1950's.

Comparative Literature:
F.Lewis Hinckley, A Directory of Antique Furniture , pp.  231 and 248 
The Knight of Glin and James Peil, Irish Furniture, 2007, pp. 106 and 107, pls. 135 and 136
Ralph Edwards and Percy Macquoid, The Dictionary of English Furniture, 1924, 3 vols., Vol. I, p. 239, fig. 99
R.W Symonds, English Furniture from Charles II to George II, 1929, p. 198-201
Christopher Hussey, `Nostell Priory, Yorkshire-II', Country Life, May 23, 1952, p. 1572, fig. 2
Nostell Priory, National Trust Guide-Book, 1997, p.18

Good overall condition. Repaired breaks to both arms which are carefully disguised with spliced patches. Old filled nail holes to the underside of each arm. Possibly refinished in the early 20th century. Old marks and scratches. Good colour and patina. Wonderful carved detail throughout and lovely proportions
"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."

The carved top rail and splat on the present armchair closely compares with a group of seat furniture predominantly identified as Irish. However they all differ either in having a heavier form of cabriole leg which in some instances is joined by stretchers or rests on a more typically Irish paw or claw and ball foot.  Amongst this group is a one of a set of twelve dining chairs recorded at Nostell Priory, Yorkshire (see Edwards and Macquoid op. cit. p. 239, pl. 99) . A further very similar set of ten dining chairs sold Sotheby's London, 10 July, 1987, lot 59 (£120,000)

The offered lot appears to be the only recorded armchair of this precise model. Furthermore its sophisticated design and finely executed carving are characteristic of other armchairs recorded in the great  English furniture collections of the 20th century such as those formed by Percival Griffiths, Irwin Untermyer, Samuel Messer and Eric Moller. An armchair from the first of these, illustrated in R.W Symonds, English Furniture from Charles II to George II, 1929, p. 198-201,  sold Sotheby's, Fawley House, 15 October 2003, lot 72 (£340,000). This armchair was one of the most prized and iconic items in Percival Griffiths' collection of English Furniture which placed a premium on colour and richness of patination over provenance and documentation. Indeed it epitomised such qualities as inventiveness of design and originality of condition exemplified by the present armchair. Although of a more restrained design, it shares similar proportions and has close parallels in aspects of its design such as the legs and apron. An interesting feature on the Griffiths armchair, is the partial padding to the arms which sheds light on the existence of nail holes to the underside of the arms here.