A George III mahogany armchair possibly by Thomas Chippendale circa 1770

Partridge, London, 1983

Overall good condition. The left hand S-scroll support of the lyre splat possibly replaced as the wood appears to be slightly lighter in color than its counterpart; however, the flowerhead roundel to the base appears to be original. Armrests are sturdy and nicely carved with beautiful old rubbing and wear to handholds especially to bellflower carving to tops of armrests consistent with age and use. Legs appear to be sturdy and in good condition with typical, usual bruises, nicks, and wear to extremities. The feet originally fitted with casters, now with vacant screwholes. The seat rails with minor areas of old worm damage but appear to be structurally sound. Corner struts replaced. The leather, which is not original, nevertheless has age and is stable with cracking mainly to the front edge. Beautifully carved and with very nice proportions.
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 chair is nearly identical to two groups of seat furniture by Thomas Chippendale which he adapted from a 'parlour chair' pattern, designed by Robert Adam (d.1792) in 1767, which incorporates the Grecian lyre splat, with bowed crest-rail centered by a Palmyrene 'sunflower' medallion.  Chippendale supplied a set of six library armchairs of this form to Sir Rowland Winn, 5^th Bt.  Nostell Priory, Yorkshire in 1768 (C. Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1978, vol. II, p. 92, fig. 150) and supplied another similar set of six armchairs to Sir Penistone Lamb, 1st Viscount Melbourne (d. 1828) for his Library at Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire in 1773 (ibid, p. 93, fig. 151).  Both of these sets have nearly identical backrests and armrest supports, but differ in the ornament to the rails and the style of the front legs.  The present chair resembles the Brocket Hall chairs more closely, the only difference being the carving of the front legs.  A further undocumented set of this model of similarly simplified form with molded square legs form part of the collection at Scampston Hall in Yorkshire and may have been commissioned by Sir William St. Quintin, 5th Baronet of Harpham, as part of the improvements to the property upon his succession in 1770 (see A. Oswald, 'Scampston Hall, Yorkshire-II', Country Life, 8 April 1954, p. 1037, fig. 9).  The present chair has identical front legs to the legs on the Scampston chairs, but has different armrest supports.  The front legs of the present chair are nearly identical to those on a set of twenty Neoclassical dining chairs Chippendale made for Harewood House (ibid., p. 90, fig. 146).