FINE AND RARE CHIPPENDALE CARVED MAHOGANY SIDE CHAIR, POSSIBLY BY THOMAS TUFT (1740-1788), CARVING POSSIBLY BY RICHARD BUTTS, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, CIRCA 1770

Slip seat and chair marked IIII.

Mrs. Charles Pemberton Fox, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

William Macpherson Hornor, Jr., Blue Book, Philadelphia Furniture: William Penn to George Washington, (Washington, DC: Highland House, 1977), pl. 346.

Chair has fallen backwards and crest rail has been reattached, 2 1/2 by 3/4 in. section replaced at proper left of back splat join with crest rail; small triangular patch to the backside of proper left stile towards crest rail; inside of seat rails secured with later screwed on wooden supports; proper left and right side knee returns replaced; chair has a rich surface.
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 mate to this chair is in the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art (see Morrison H. Heckscher, American Furniture in the Metropolitan Museum of Art II Late Colonial Period: The Queen Anne and Chippendale Styles, (New York: The Metropolitan Museum Art, Distributed by Random House, 1985), p. 101-2, no. 55). The carving on the legs and front seat rail of the presently offered lot match exactly to the labeled Thomas Tuft chair in the collection of Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum (see Joseph Downs, American Furniture: Queen Anne and Chippendale Periods in the Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, (New  York: The MacMillan Company, 1952), no. 134).