A fine set of eight George II carved walnut armchairs, possibly Portuguese mid-18th century

each shaped cresting rail centered by a carved cartouche above a pierced splat centered by bow and interlaced ribbon flanked by foliate-carved stiles and serpentine-form armrests ending in scrolled hand holds on acanthus-carved armrest supports, the square drop-in seat above a conforming frame with gadrooned apron raised on stylized rocaille and shell-carved cabriole legs ending in stylize hairy paw feet.

Possibly from the collection of Visconte de Torre de Moncorro
Sold, Sotheby's London, July 4, 1997, lot 64

Overall good restored condition; beautifully carved and a lovely design; generous proportions; chairs are sturdy; later drop-in seats. Chair VI with back right foot tipped; later corner blocks; old worm to back legs and seat rails. Chair V with old worm damage to right armrest support with subsequent small loss; old worm to back left foot with small losses. Chair VIII with old worm damage to the seat rails and tops of legs; back left foot with small splice and some old worm damage. Chair IV with old repaired break to top left corner of cresting rail; back left foot with small splice and with some old worm damage; minor worm damage to tops of legs and rails and to back left leg which has some repairs and losses around the join with the left seat rail. Chair III with old repaired break to center of bow of splat; four replaced corner brackets to front legs; replaced gadrooned apron; front right leg with extensive old worm damage with subsequent small losses which have been infilled and inpainted. Chair VII with old repaired breaks to the tops of the stiles at joins with the cresting rail; show with old worm damage; back right foot tipped; one later corner block. Chair II in good condition with minor old worm damage to the seat rails. Chair I with some old worm damage to the seat rails; back right foot tipped.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The present armchairs are of the identical model, and may originally have formed part of the same suite, as a set of six armchairs and a matching settee, formerly in the collection of Visconte de Torre de Moncorro, which were exhibited at the Ricardo do Espirito Santo Foundation in Lisbon in 1958 as part of the Exhibition of English Decorative Art, (cat. No. 72), and which sold at Sotheby's, London, November 5, 1976, lot 78.

Whilst the armchairs are English in design, the overall proportions and handling of the carving suggest either colonial or Continental manufacture.  Considering the close cultural ties linking England and Portugal in the 18th century and the reliance of Portuguese furniture makers at this period on the work of their English contemporaries, it has been suggested that these chairs are Portuguese.  'Ribband Back Chairs' of a very similar design are illustrated in Thomas Chippendale's Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director of 1754, No XVI, copies of which are known to have circulated on the Continent (see illustration).

The armchairs are of walnut, a timber still commonly used in Portugal at this period, and a particularly interesting feature is the carved decoration to the feet, which shows a Chinese / South-East Asian influence suggestive of Portugal's strong colonial and mercantile connections with the East. Portuguese chairs of similar date and style to the offered lot are illustrated in Augusto Cardoso Pinto, Cadeiras Portuguesas, 1852, pls. LV-LVII & LXII.