A pair of George III pale blue painted and parcel-gilt sofas circa 1797-99, the design attributed to James Wyatt and probably by Elward, Marsh and Tatham

with fluted rectangular button-upholstered backs and seats with carved paterae to the corners, on conforming tapered square legs with gilt-brass castors

Supplied to William, 3^rd Viscount Courtenay, later 9^th Earl of Devon (1768 - 1835) and thence by descent.

Inventory 1803, recorded in the Music Room
Inventory 1835, recorded in the Print Room
Inventory 1880, one recorded in the Middle Library, the other in the Inner Library.

Illustrated 'Powderham Castle', Country Life, April 4^th 1908, Vol. XXIII, p. 492 in the First Library under loose covers.

 

 

 

Extensive wear and losses to decoration. Upholstery worn and threadbare. Minor warping to frames. Some old worming to underframes. One underside to the seatrails with an iron re-enforcing bracket to the inside of the right leg.
"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 attribution to Elward, Marsh and Tatham is based upon an account in the Powderham records from 'Messrs. Elward Marsh and Tatham of Mount Street, Upholsterers' Work done for his Lordship in the Years 1797, 1798, 1799'. This bill came to the sum of £3000. This amount, it is suggested by Girouard (op. cit. p.142) included the manufacture of the celebrated Dolphin suite, made for the Music Room, but also other pieces.

Girouard writes, 'There are two sets of furniture that can be attributed with reasonable confidence to the firm, one is the white and gold chairs and sofas in the second library'.