A George II burr and figured walnut armchair in the manner of Giles Grendey circa 1730

the chair and drop-in seat numbered I.  The contemporary needlework associated.

Overall good condition; front left leg with an old repaired break at join with seat rail; with later metal L-brackets to the inside edges of the corners of the seat rail; beautifully made and well-carved; overall with usual nicks, bruises and scratches consistent with age and use; minor areas of old worm damage to rails.
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.

Chairs of this type - described as 'neat' in 18th century inventories - are often associated with the leading London cabinet-maker Giles Grendey (1693-1780).  Besides the overall form of the chairs, the two particular features on the present examples which relate to chairs bearing Grendey's trade label are the distinctive shell-carved legs and shape of the shoe beneath the splat.  A set of six chairs with these characteristics which retain their original Grendey labels is in the collection of the Carnegie Museum of Art (See: Christopher Gilbert, The Pictorial Dictionary of  Marked London Furniture, 1700-1840, Leeds, 1996, p.242, pl. 434.)

Grendey was described as a 'Cabinet-Maker and Chair-Maker' when part of his stock was destroyed by fire in 1731 and also referred to as 'an eminent Timber merchant' in 1755 on the marriage of his daughter to John Cobb, the Royal Cabinet-maker.  He had a number of continental clients, as well as a series of important and wealthy patrons including Lord Scarsdale of Kedleston Hall, Sir Jacob de Bouverie of Longford Castle and Henry Hoare of Stourhead. Besides specializing in mahogany and walnut pieces he was a renowned for his scarlet Japanned furniture for the export market including the spectacular suite made for the Duke of Infantado for his castle at Lazcano in Northern Spain.