George III architectural panels, probably designed by John Carr with carving and carved by Sefferin Nelson circa 1780

comprising the chimneypiece overmantel mirror surmount and the surmounts to the pair of pier glasses that hung between the windows, the panels each with a tied wreath of roses, the former with the original scrolled volute carved brackets, one inscribed Top of... window / glafs frame left of middle window / Blue Room and another Over glafs frame right of middle window / Blue Room, distressed (3)

Ordered by William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire (1748-1811)

Devonshire House Inventory, 1811, possibly 1 pair of pier glasses in Rich White and Gold frames recorded in The Dining Room
Devonshire House Inventory, 1917, p. 49

All three surmounts are in distressed condition with ingrained dirt, chipping and significant losses to the carved decoration. One surmount has it's cornice detached. Much of the carved decoration is detached but retained and has significant losses with chipping throughout. These are impressive, well carved pieces which are in need of restoration.
"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 extraordinary survivals from Devonshire house, demonstrating Georgiana's passion for delicate French classical interiors relates to a group of panels surmounting pier glass frames in the Blue Drawing Room and those with ribbon tied oak leaves now surmounting the doors in the Sketch Gallery at Chatsworth that were supplied under the direction of John Carr of York and executed by Sefferin Nelson. The examples at Chatsworth are discussed and illustrated by Ivan Hall, 'A neoclassical episode at Chatsworth', The Burlington Magazine, June 1980,fig 48.

Hall writes; Carr's carved overdoors were dismantled during the sixth Dukes remodelling of the Private Apartments at Chastworth in the 1830's but were put into store, where fortunately they still survive. They were carved by Sefferin Nelson in a bold style that acknowledges the need to harmonise the baroque and neoclassical. Both are treated as exceptionally deep friezes, one carved with boughs of oak the other with branches of olives. Both have central knots of ribbon, which Nelson contrived out of strips of wired vellum. The cornices have small-scale acanthus leaves on the cyma, with a band of reeding bound by spiral acanthus leaves beneath... Fragments of one of the chimney glass tops also survive (the offered lot), carved in a similar style.

There are many parallels with the offered lot, the simple, architectural white ground frieze with flamboyant highly gilded relief and the techniques employed are the same - the use of wire-framed ribbon-ties of gilt vellum. There is however no record of John Carr working at Devonshire House where few accounts for the period exist. In all likelihood, the Duke and Duchess, thrilled with the work in their Private Apartments at Chatsworth looked to simulate the work in London. Here they employed James Wyatt as their architect, who in his desire to please or upon the direction of the family probably employed those craftsmen who were instrumental in the successful creations at Chatsworth, namely Sefferin Nelson and François Hervé. Nelson would have had the experience and wherewithal to create similar items in gilded vellum which is not a common technique.

The Duchess of Devonshire, Chatsworth The House, 2002, illustrated, p. 169 and on p. 170 , the Dowger writes [about the Carr and Nelson scheme installed at Chatsworth] The gilded 'ribbons' and bows whcih finish the swags above the windows pose a question which few can answer. What are they made of? wood? plaster? Neither. They are made of vellum and so are slightly more malleable and more ribbon-like than any carved medium could be.