A Set of twelve George III Mahogany Dining Chairs comprising ten George III chairs, circa 1760 and two modern copies

The ten George III chairs, sold anonymously, Sotheby's London, 10 July, 1987, lot 59.

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. Repolished finsish. Some replacement angle blocks to the underside of the seatrails. Minor old worm damage to the mahogany backrails beneathe the splat shoes. General minor old marks and scratches. Good colour. Recently re-upholstered.
"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 present chairs are possibly by the same maker of a set of twelve mahogany dining chairs recorded at Nostell Priory, Yorkshire which have an identical design to their backs (see Edwards and Macquoid op. cit. p. 239, pl. 99). The carved top rails and splats here, also closely relate to a group of seat furniture (see comparative literature) including examples with Irish provenance. However these differ in a variety of respects such as the form of cabriole leg, some of which feature stretchers or paw feet of an overtly Irish design. A rare armchair belonging to this group was offered, Sotheby's London, 7 July 2009, lot 17.  A further close comparison can be made in respect of the legs on the offered lot which are very similar to those on a set of twelve dining chairs, almost certainly supplied to Anthony Ashley Cooper, 4th Earl of Shaftsbury (d.1771) for St Giles House, Dorset, sold Christie's London, 2 May 2002, lot 20. It is a matter of conjecture as to the maker of the St. Giles House set, owing to the paucity of surviving payment documents. However it is interesting to note that the 4th Earl's Countess, Susanna Noel, subscribed to Chippendale's director. Other cabinet making firms associated with St. Giles House include Vile and Cobb and William Hallett senior.
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