A George III carved giltwood chair circa 1770

attributed to Thomas Chippendale, in neo-classical style

Almost certainly commissioned by Peter Thellusson Esq., 1737- 1797, bequeathed to his eldest son Peter Isaac Thellusson, created 1st Baron Rendlesham 1806, (1761- 1808) and thence by family descent to the present vendor.   

Overall in `country house' condition. Losses to gilding throughout. A very attractive and interesting chair. Upholstery worn and stained and not original. The gilding is old and probably not original and has been touched up with gold paint in places. Seat-rails with screw holes presumably for batons for transport. Height of back to highest point 93.5cm. (3ft. ¾in.) Height of bottom of seat-rail from groung 33.25cm. ( 1ft. 1¼in.) Width of back 52.5cm. ( 1ft. 8¾in.) Width of seat betweem arms 51.5cm. ( 1ft. 8¼in.) Depth of back from outside front foot to outside of rear foot 57cm. ( 1ft. 10½in.) Depth of seat rail from fron to back 53cm. ( 1ft. 9in.)
"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 attribution of Thomas Chippendale for the present lot is based both on the design and also on the construction of the chair. The design is strikingly similar to that of a set of fouteen chairs supplied by Chippendale Senior or Junior, circa 1779, for the White Drawing Room at Harewood House, illustrated Christopher Gilbert, The Life & Work of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1978, 2 Vols., vol. II, P.114, pl.199 and also to a mahogany suite supplied by Haig and Chippendale in 1789 for Paxton House,  Scotland illustrated Connoisseur August 1972, Christopher Gilbert, Chippendale Senior and Junior at Paxton 1774-91, p.264.

The side rails of the present chair have screw holes which is a constructional detail found in chairs by Chippendale which enabled them to be attached to battens used in packing cases, for transportation.

Sadly no surviving records or any bills linking Thomas Chippendale with the Thellusson family are known. Peter Thellusson was one of the wealthiest men of his time in England. He is famous for a celebrated legal case involving the disposition of his estate. When he died in 1797 he left real property bringing in £5000 a year and a personal estate of over £600,000 instructing his trustees to accumulate profits from this for three generations, excluding his immediate issue which ultimately was to result in the passing of the Accumulations Act 1800 to prevent such future moves. He owned several estates which included Brodsworth in Yorkshire, Rendlesham Hall Suffolk, (destroyed by fire in the second quarter 19th century and subsequently re-built only to be destroyed again in the late 19th century) , and Plaistow Lodge, Kent. As a man of such wealth it seems highly likely that he could have patronised Thomas Chippendale to furnish one or other of these houses. Brodsworth hall contains a suite of giltwood seat furniture which also has design similarites and also constructional similarities with other known examples of furniture by Chippendale suggesting a link with him which suggests that he could well have commissioned the present chair as part of a much larger suite which was subsequently destroyed in one or other of the fires at Rendlesham Hall.