A pair of George II giltwood and upholstered open armchairs circa 1740, the design attributed to William Kent, possibly by William Linnell

with arched padded backs, the padded arms with scrolled acanthus terminals flanking padded seats, now sprung, on rosette capped husk adorned tapering legs, probably originally with pierced gilt fret facings to the seat rails, formerly with block feet and now with brass castors, bearing traces of original gilding

In country house condition and with old chips to gilding. Probably re-gilded. Gilding tired. The upholstery and remedial work done possibly in the 1830s. Legs reduced in height to accommodate later castors. Upholstery tired and dirty.
"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 Roman inspired chairs, together with the following three lots, closely relate to a set of mahogany and parcel-gilt chairs designed by court architect William Kent and supplied to General James Dormer (1679-1741) for Rousham, Oxfordshire by an unidentified maker, see Helena Hayward & Patrick Kirkham, William and John Linnell, London, 1980, vol. II, p, 36, fig. 67 who make comparison between the Rousham chairs and a set of chairs and settees supplied by John Linnell to Robert Child at Osterley Park, Middlesex . Kent's designs were published by his pupil, John Vardy, Some Designs of Mr. Inigo Jones and Mr. William Kent, 1744, in which plates, 42 and 43 may be compared to the current chairs. There are a number of suites of seat furniture whose design is attributed to Kent and where it is possible that William Linnell was responsible for the making of the furniture. These include the furniture at Rousham together with a set of seven benches  in the garden pavillion, which are close in design to those supplied by Kent to Devonshire House and now at Chatsworth. The continuation of the 'Kentian' style by William and John Linnell is suggested by Hayward and Kirkham op.cit., vol. I, p.79, with the supply of a table executed to Kent's design for James West at Alscot Park, Warwickshire.

An identical pair of chairs with retaining the blocks to the feet but again possibly lacking the pierced fret borders to the seat-rails which would have been applied over the upholstery, were initially sold anonymously, Christie's London, 31 October 1974, lot 60 and subsequently The Property of the late Lord Martin Fitzalan-Howard, Christie's London, 25 November 2004, lot 115, £100,450.

A single mahogany chair of very similar form was sold anonymously, Sotheby's New York, 18 October 2006, lot 199, $42,000.