A George II style mahogany and yewwood armchair in the manner of Gillows circa 1830

the plum-pudding mahogany escutcheon backrest above an oval seat flanked by shepherd's-crook armrests, raised on cabochon-carved cabriole legs ending in claw-and-ball feet.

Good restored condition; separation to veneers along center of backrest; backrest probably upholstered at some point as sent by tack holes; repaired break to right armrest at juncture of backrest; small repaired break to left armrest at juncture with backrest; repaired breaks to fronts of scrolling supports and now with replaced elements; reinforcements to back of backrest and now with plugs; age cracks and separations to veneers of apron and lifting to veneers; seat rail with Roman numerals II, later screw to inside of left front seat rail; repaired break and fracture to inside front right leg and now with inpainted patch; back left leg with splice at foot; back right leg with repaired break; some replacements to veneers.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This fine escutcheon-backed armchair dates from the second quarter of the 19^th century. These examples were almost certainly made by the firm of Gillow of Lancaster and reflect the antiquarian taste that influenced Gillows' designs at that period, a sketch of an almost identical chair being included in their Estimate Sketch Books, p. 3603.  Based on 18^th century models showing markedly similar construction, it is possible that Gillow could possibly have been responsible for making similar chairs in the 18^th century.  A pair of chairs of this model dating from the 1830s, formerly in the collection of the well-known collector, Percival Griffiths of Sandridgebury, St. Albans, was sold, Sotheby's London, June 5, 2007, lot 112.  Made from elm and burr elm, historically these chairs had also been considered to date from the 18^th century, although modern scholarship has disproved this.