A pair of George II walnut and upholstered sofas circa 1740

upholstered in continental crewel work, on shell capped cabriole legs on claw and ball feet, the underside bearing a label for 'Frank Partridge Works of Art, 26 King Street, St James's and New York', also bearing manuscript label 'Blue Damask Room'

Probably supplied to James, 14th Earl of Morton for Dalmahoy House, Mid Lothian;
Mrs. Robert Emmet, sold Sotheby's, London, 27th October 1949, lot 158;
Christie's, London, 13th November 1997, lot 70

Overall in very good condition with minor scratches to legs. The ears to the rear legs later. The upholstery, particularly to one, with some old water staining and tears to seat cover. The fine early 18th century crewel work has been later applied to the upholstery.
"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 true provenance of the present pair of sofas only came to light in 1997 with the discovery of a small label underneath a pair of side chairs from the same suite (sold Christie's, London, 13th November 1997, lot 71); it reads ‘Dalmahoy’.

Dalmahoy House was built in Midlothian, near Edinburgh, in 1725 for George Dalrymple (d. 1745), a younger son of the Earl of Stair. The house was designed by Scotland’s foremost architect of the time, William Adam (1689–1748). In 1750 the house was sold to James Douglas, 14th Earl of Morton and remained in the family until 1935. The 14^th Earl also owned Aberdour House in Fife, a 17^th century mansion near the medieval fortification Aberdour Castle, which could have been an alternative home from which these sofas came (M. Dean and M. Miers, Scotland’s Endangered Houses, London 1990, p.44).

Thomas Chippendale’s prefatory note to the third edition of The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director, 1762, is testament to the patronage of the 14th Earl of Morton, explaining that the bed illustrated on plate XXXIX ‘has been made for the Earls of Dumfries and Morton’ (C. Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1978, vol. I, p. 139). Whilst Chippendale’s dealings with the Earl of Morton cannot be traced in any paper work, this reference affirms the quality of the furniture at Dalmahoy House.