A pair of George III mahogany fretwork wall shelves circa 1770

in the manner of Thomas Chippendale, each with three small drawers, restorations 

Castle Howard, York, Yorkshire, Sotheby`s house sale, 11th, 12th and 13th November 1991, lot 106. 

Generally these shelves are in good condition. Both have had replaced bracket supports beneath the drawers.
"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."

Castle Howard in Yorkshire is one of the most beautiful and grandest of all country houses. When first built it must simply have been the grandest.  Charles Howard, 3rd Earl of Carlisle commissioned John Vanbrugh to build him a palace on the site of Henderskelfe Castle and to replace Naworth Castle in Cumberland as his principal seat. Carlisle, Vanbrugh and Nicholas Hawskmoor who was also engaged, transformed barren hillsides and created one of the world`s greatest houses, an architectural masterpiece which culminates in a dome, an entirely novel feature in English architecture. The interiors were of matching opulence and included sculpture by Carpenter and Nadauld, stucco by  Bagutti, frescoes by Pellegrini, overdoor paintings by Ricci and Hassell, rich draperies, tapestries, and furniture. The present shelves could date from the time of Henry, 4th Earl of Carlisle ( 1698-1758) but more probably from the time of  Frederick Howard, 5th Earl of Carlisle (1748-1825) who was the first member of the family to enjoy the house to its full, as the building which had continued under the time of the 4th Earl had now been completed. The 5th Earl is thought to have comissioned another pair of hanging shelves, of similar form,  subsequently sold in the same Sotheby's sale, lot 121. These shelves appear to have been designed to correspond with the chimney piece for the State bedroom now called the Orleans Room and also with an inlaid commode by William and John Linnell. It therefore seems likely that he commissioned the present lot.

The present shelves appear based on designs by Thomas Chippendale in his The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker`s Director, 1763, plates CXXXIX and CXL.