A pair of late George III carved giltwood and gesso day beds circa 1800, the design attributed to James Wyatt

with a bolster cushion, later covered with silk needlework, the frames with reeded and paterae ornament to both sides

Supplied to William, 3rd Viscount Courtenay, later 9th Earl of Devon (1768-1835) and thence by descent;
sold Powderham Castle & Seaton Delaval Hall, Sotheby's, 29 September 2009, lot 47 where acquired by present owner.

Inventory 1880, probably the `two lounging sofas with gilt legs and scroll tops', recorded in the Music Room
Illustrated 'Powderham Castle III', Mark Girouard, Country Life, July 18^th 1963, Vol. CXXXIV, p. 142 in the Second Library.

An attractive pair in reasonable condition. There are minor losses to the gilding and gesso throughout consistent with age and use. The upholstery has some notable areas of wear specifically the head and feet bolster supports which could benefit from attention. It retains much of its original colour but has signs of staining. It has lifted away from the wooden structure in some areas but will be easily fixable.
"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."

William, 3rd Viscount Courtenay, came into his inheritance and the family seat, Powderham castle, in 1788. As a young man he quickly set about transforming the castle, aided by the architect James Wyatt, the sculptor Richard Westmacott and the furniture makers Elward, Marsh and Tatham. An 1803 inventory of Powderham reveals a patron in the vanguard of taste ordering new neo-classical furniture, painted in white and gold and a variety of works of art. Lord Courtenay's most audacious addition was his great Music Room designed and furnished by James Wyatt containing '4 elegant sofas & cushions, striped satin covers & burnished gold frames'. Courtenay's elegant taste can be gauged from the items that survive from his commissions including these day beds. The pair of day beds were covered by Lady Venetia Devon, mother of the 18th Earl of Devon, who discovered the finely worked early 19th century silk panels at Powderham castle.

Girouard in his Country Life article, op. cit. p. 142, writes that these may have been part of a commission by Marsh and Tatham and references these sofas with their 'contemporary white satin covers embroidered by some of the 13 Courtenay sisters'  as a part of that group. However, the distinctive heavily scrolled ends are paralleled on two giltwood settees, now in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum and originally supplied by Gillows as part of a suite of seat furniture in 1805 to Colonel Hughes of Kimmel Park, Denbighshire (see Susan E. Stuart, Gillows of Lancaster and London 1730-1840, 2008, 2 vols., vol. I, p. 212, pl. 188).  The moulded frames and profile of splayed legs here also correlate to a pair of giltwood sofas supplied by Gillows circa 1806 to John Wynne of Coed Coch, Denbighshire, sold Christie's London, 18 April 1996, lot 229, which are also fitted with similar gilt-brass box shaped cappings and castors.