A pair of George III carved mahogany library armchairs circa 1765

each covered in floral gros-point needlework, with arched padded backs and arms on out scrolled foliate carved supports and padded serpentine seats with rocaille and scroll carved rails with acanthus capped cabriole legs on scrolled feet, the underside of one chair inscribed with ink, '1943.956. Fogg Museum', some later re-enforcement to the rails

Fogg Art Museum;
Sold by the above, Sotheby’s New York, October 16th and 17th, 1987, ($80,000 hammer);
Purchased from Hotspur, London, 1988, (£160,000).

Please note that these armchairs are not made of walnut as stated in the catalogue, but mahogany. They are of exceptional quality and have very good carving details and further research done in the unusual construction show that it is typical of the work of Thomas Chippendale. This construction, with some alternating blocks to inside rails with somehow thin mahogany outside rails, can be seen in chairs by Chippendale in the famous Dumfries suite of furniture, with which these chairs also share many similarities of design. Both chairs with scuffing to feet, marks and scratches consistent with age and use. One chair has a small repaired patch to back of front left leg and a minor repaired break on the left foot. The right foot has a small chip. There are signs of old wood worm in some blocks of the inside rails and nail marks from old upholstery. Second chair with a repaired break to left foot, a tiny repair to arm support. The beautiful period needlework retaining excellent colour and showing some repairs and some areas with loose points but in overall good condition, the silk backings worn and in need of attention.
"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."

This particular design of armchair, with cabriole legs, curved arm supports and serpentine front rail, was named by Thomas Chippendale as “French Chairs with Elbows” in his publication The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director, pl.XIX, and was a particularly successful model.

Chippendale himself produced very similar French armchairs to the present lot. William, 5^th Earl of Dumfries (d.1768), commissioned from the London cabinet-maker an impressive amount of furniture for Dumfries House in Scotland, which included the ‘Drawing Room Suite’ (Dumfries House, A Chippendale Commission, vol. 1, Christie’s catalogue, 12 July 2007, pp.104, lots 116-119). Comprising two sofas and fourteen armchairs, they are, as the present lot, a variation of Plate XIX and have a much subtler rococo feel and simpler carvings than the plates. Chippendale always followed his own designs freely and rarely repeated them. 

An identical armchair to the present lot – possibly part of the same suite – was sold with Christie’s London, 20 May 2010, ‘Régence to Fabergé: An Apartment by Jed Johnson’, lot 85, as attributed to Thomas Chippendale (£54,050).