A set of six William and Mary style chairs with the Earl of Albemarle's coat of arms

comprising two arm and four side chairs, each japanned and parcel gilt with arched caned back flanked by Corinthian columns and surmounted by the coat-of-arms of the Keppel family similarly incorporated in the front stretcher, the caned seat above scrolled legs terminating on carved lion mask feet;  the armchairs with sweeping arms ending on lion masks and on carved acanthus supports

The construction and caning of this walnut group of chairs are sound and sturdy. There are some small repairs and losses to carved coronets and two front stretchers have reinforcement black plaques to crests. There are marks and scratches consistent with use and age and marks of woodworming which seems to be no longer active. This impressive group has been completely re-painted and re-gilt and the gilding can maybe be toned down according to taste. Originally it was possible that its surface was not painted but just plain walnut.
"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."

These impressive chairs exemplify the cross-cultural and political affiliation between England and Holland, during the reign of William and Mary. They bear the coat-of-arms of the Keppel family and are most likely modelled after a suite commissioned by Arnold Joost van Keppel, 1^st Earl of Albemarle (1670-1718), one of William III’s closest advisors. Dutch born, Keppel came to England as a page-of-honour to the future King during the 1680’s and remained a close friend, being made Viscount Bury in Lancashire, and Baron Ashford of Ashford, Kent. In 1697, van Keppel became Earl of Albemarle and finally in 1700 was created a Knight of the Garter. He was given many properties in England as well as an estate in Holland, where he built a large country house - De Voorst - emulating Het Loo, William and Mary’s palace situated nearby. Daniel Marot, the French-born architect to the King, was involved in both projects, especially with regard to the design of the interiors.

The design of these chairs follows the Anglo-Dutch style inspired by Marot’s engravings, but taken to a rare level of sophistication, with its acanthus and lion carved arm ends and feet and architectural backs. The carved coat-of-arms with flanking rampant lions are particularly well accomplished in terms of design and these sculptural features can be related to a walnut armchair now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York with the cipher of King James II and Queen Maria.

Although none of  the Marot prints published 30 years before his death depict this particular model, we may consider his involvement with it when working for Albermale on the interiors of De Voorst. The blatant use of the family’s coat-of-arms both in the crest and stretcher shows the recently acquired status of Albemarle and the original model would certainly have been amongst the best pieces of Anglo-Dutch furniture of the period.

The fate of the original suite is not known, but the present lot was most likely produced with it serving as a model, possibly using some period elements, and most likely in plain walnut and not with the later gilding and japanning that the chairs now bear. The parcel-gilt and japanned scheme can be seen in one other interesting comparison, the famous Quenby Hall Suite. An armchair of this suite is now in the collections of Temple Newsam House, showing similarly carved giltwood crests and front stretchers, as well as Corinthian columns flanking caned backs.