A pair of George III simulated rosewood and caned settees circa 1784, by Francois Hervé

each with a moulded shaped back and scroll arms on eight fluted and baluster shaped legs ending in brass capping with castors, the castors lacking to the front legs of one, both with upholstered seat cushions, one green, the other red and foliate patterned

Ordered by William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire (1748-1811) for the Breakfast Room at Chatsworth.

Chatsworth Inventory, 1792 which records these two sofas as standing in seperate rooms, p. 36 in The Dressing room adjoining The White Bedroom and p.43 in The Breakfast Room.
Possibly one of these settes is that painted by William Hunt in the Audit Room, circa 1820;
Chatsworth Inventory, 1844, p. 126 in The Auditors Room 1 Painted Frame Sofa with cane seat & back, seat cushion, 3 back ditto;
Chatsworth Inventory, 1859, p. 106 one in the same room, the other would appear to be removed to the Housekeepers Room and recorded there on p. 113;
Photographed circa 1890 in the Oak Room, Chatsworth;
Chatsworth Inventory, 1892, p. 151 in the Old Smoke Room (now The Oak Room):
Chatsworth Inventory, 1905, p. 110 in the same room;
Francis Thompson, A History of Chatsworth, London, 1949, p. 120, pl. 58

In solid condition but there is much wear, chipping and dirt to the painted decoration. The caning is in generally good/fair condition with damage to the right side of the back of one settee and to the centre, the left and to the right of another. One settee has wooden castors, the other settee is slightly taller as it has brass cappings and castors.
"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 are likely to be the pair of cane settees recorded in a receipt from Francis [sic] Hervé dated July 25th 1784 as;

'To two large 8' Sofa frames upper part work'd with plain mouldg on both sides & rails do. all round, common stumps plain Mould & turn'd feet all flu'd with flowers on the knees. The upper part of the back feet & montins  mould & finished for caning at £4... 7.  6       8   15

For caning at £4...3.                            8     6

4 Setts of Castors                               2     10'

These settes form part of the celebrated and extensive commission of seat furniture by Hervé for the 5th Duke and his wife Duchess Georgiana. Georgiana used him extensively, perhaps too much, as she got into difficulties with the 5th Duke's agent, John Heaton. He accused her of swindling tradesmen. Amanda Foreman, Georgiana - Duchess of Devonshire, London, 1999, p. 127 writes; Georgiana was refurbishing her private apartments and persuaded the Duke to employ the French craftsman François Hervé to design a complete set of furniture. She had also instructed builders to give Devonshire House a much-needed face-lift. But on Heaton's command the work came to a halt. He had heard a rumour that Georgiana was using the services of some craftsman free of charge in return for passing on a recommendation to the Prince of Wales.