A set of twelve Italian giltwood and mecca chairs, Lucca circa 1750

each with a cartouche shaped pierced back with baluster splat above a drop-in padded seat on cabriole legs terminating in pad feet; reblocked

Marchese Garzoni, Palazzo Collodi, Luca; sold and illustrated in Catalogo degli Oggetti D'Arte-Mobili-Quadri-Stoffe-Stampe Argenti che Guarnivano uno dei Grandi Appartamenti dello Storico Palazzo di Collodi, 4th March 1929, lots 236-238 inclusive, illustrated in the Salone da Ballo, TAV. IX.
Private Collection Rome from 1932, photographed in situ in the dining room of the Palazzo, pre-1940, reproduced here in fig.1.
Thence by descent

In overall good conserved condition.The rear seat-rail on seven have been strengthened, the gilding is slightly dirty and would benefit from a light clean according to taste. Evidence of old minor worm which appears to be no longer active. Hairline construction cracks at the joints which are commensurate with age and usage. Eight chairs have the same later upholstery the other four are different. One chair has a wobbly back this can easily be restored. One of the splats appears to have an old restoration where the base of it joins the back rail which is opening up again and would benefit from very minor restoration.
"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."

Comparative Literature:
Enrico Colle, Il Mobile Lucchese dal Cinquecento all'Ottocento, Lucca, 2009, pp. 160-61, pls. LXVIIIb and LXIXa.

Compare a pair of similar armchairs, sold in these Rooms from the Estate of the late Giuseppe Rossi, 10th March 1999, Vol. I, lot 160.

Similar chairs comprising another suite can be seen in a photograph of the Sale Ademollo in the Palazzo Ducale, Lucca, which was taken during the Pompeo Batoni’s exhibition in 2008.

Compare a set of twelve similar chairs, sold Sotheby's, New York, 29th March 2011, lot 65 and a set of ten chairs, sold in these Rooms, 2nd December 2008, lot 42.