A pair of George II mahogany side chairs circa 1760

one stamped to the rails G iv R No 35 and bearing an incomplete paper label ..CASTLE, the other also stamped to the rails G iv R No 41 and bearing a paper label V.R.I. / STORE TOWER/1896/ Room . No. 

The rails and to a lesser extent the backs too, on both of these chairs are heavily wormed which has been treated. Some losses to timbers on the top of all front legs but which will be concealed beaneath upholstery. Both have some losses to carving consistent with age. One has later angle brackets within rails. Joints on both loose.
"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."

An armchair with similar carved decoration to the legs is recorded in the collection of Samuel Whitbread at Southill, Bedfordshire, illustrated, Ralph Edwards and Percy Macquoid, The Dictionary of English Furniture, rev. ed., 1954, vol. I, p. 277, fig. 160.

Other related examples include a pair of side chairs formerly at Littlecote House, Wiltshire, illustrated in Moss Harris and Sons, A Catalogue and Index of Old Furniture and Works of Decorative Art, vol. IV, p. 42; a pair of armchairs, sold Sotheby's, London, July 4, 1997, lot 58, illus., another pair of armchairs, sold Sotheby's, London, November 13, 1998, lot 152, illus., and a pair of armchairs en suite with a pair of stools sold in consecutive lots, Sotheby's, London, June 3, 1977, lot 111 and 112, respectively, illus., and an armchair, with serpentine seat, possibly by Wright and Elwick, Christie's, London, April 15, 1999, lot 65, illus. More recently a set of eight side chairs sold Sotheby's New York, 26 October 2002, lot 1919.

It is interesting to note that William Vile (d. 1767), who was a cabinet-maker and upholsterer of 72 St. Martin`s Lane, London, together with his partner John Cobb, takes the leading place among furniture manufacturers employed by the Crown early in the reign of George III.  Vile is known to have furnished rooms at both St James`s Palace and Buckingham House for Queen Charlotte in 1761-63. The quality and carving for which Vile was known can certainly be seen in the present lot. Another furniture-maker recorded as having supplied furniture to the king during the same period was John Bradburn, although examples of his work there is associated with a more restrained style. It is possible that the present lot formed part of a group of items moved from Buckingham House to Windsor during the 1770s and branded at a later date. The brand relates to the reign of King George IV (1820-30) and there are some 300 items bearing this mark which are sometimes accompanied by a number.  The stamped numbers beside the Royal brand usually relate to the room in which the item of furniture was located. However there is regrettably no record of a list of respective rooms to which the numbers refer.