A pair of George II mahogany side chairs attributed to Wright and Elwick

upholstered in red velvet, the rear outswept cabriole legs with conforming decoration and each pad foot with a concealed castor, restorations

Almost certainly supplied to Thomas Watson-Wentworth, 1st Marquess of Rockingham (1693-1750) or his son Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess (1730-1782) for Wentworth Woodhouse, Yorkshire, and by descent at that house to Peter Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, 8th Earl Fitzwilliam, (1910-1948), Wentworth Woodhouse, Yorkshire, sold Christie's London (Spencer House), 15th July 1948, lot 53 (a set of fourteen):

Subsequently sold again Christie's, London, 6th July 2000, Lot 141

In very good restored condition. The seats probably orginally deeper, with consequential cuts to the side seat-rails. The velvet with some minor marks and one seat with some localised areas of wear. The pad feet with some very minor areas of repair as to be expected from age and use. Some of the legs with rubbing to extremities. Of large proportions.
"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 Wakefield based partnership between the London- trained Richard Wright & Edward Elwick who traded as the `Glass & Cabinet Ware House', lasted between 1747-1771 and was the most prominent in Yorkshire in the second half of the 18th century with the same levels of patronage within the county that Gillows was to develop within Lancashire. Their list of patrons was indeed lengthy and distinguished and included the likes of Sir Rowland Winn at Nostell Priory, the Duke of Norfolk at Worksop Manor, Viscount Irwin at Temple Newsam House, John Spencer at Cannon Hall and most notably, Thomas Watson-Wentworth, 1st  Marquess of Rockingham and his son Charles, 2nd Marquess, at Wentworth Woodhouse, Yorkshire.

Wentworth Woodhouse is the largest 18th century house in England and contains some of the finest of all Georgian interiors. The house was built in two stages by 1st Marquess. The west front was completed circa 1725 and the great east front designed by Ralf Tunnicliffe and Henry Flitcroft, on the model of Colen Campbell`s Wanstead, was built c.1735-1750 and contains a magnificent enfilade of state rooms and the chapel and it was for this second phase that the present chairs are likely to have been commissioned.

The Wright and Elwick  partnership lasted precisely the years in which the newly completed Wentworth Woodhouse was furnished. Lord Rockingham is recorded as making payments to Wright and Elwick for furniture and specialist upholstery work as early as 1748-9.

 The present chairs formed part of an extensive suite which originally comprised twenty one side chairs, an armchair, a pair of love seats and a settee. The suite survived intact at Wentworth Woodhouse until all were sold by Christie`s on 15th July 1948, lots 53-57 at Spencer House which was Christie`s temporary premises at the time.