A set of four Italian carved giltwood neo-classical armchairs, Roman last quarter 18th century

each with a medallion shaped padded back, the cresting with a ribbon-tied medallion enclosing various beasts including a bull, a hippocamp, a griffin, a winged ram above downscrolled arms and bowed padded seat on ribbed tapering legs entwined with vines and grapes terminating in toupie feet, the moulded frame carved with oak leaves and acorns and twisted ribbon and acanthus

Reputedly Palazzo Chigi, Rome.

In overall good conserved condition. Joints sound and sturdy. Colour of gilding slightly darker and upholstery is more beige in colour and more attractive and natural than in the catalogue photograph. Reblocked. Evidence of old very minor worm which appears to be no longer active. Attractive detail to carving. Old minor marks and chips to the gilding which can easily be touched up and left as the gilding is nicely worn especially on the arms. There is a very minor crack which has been restored in the right scroll on the armchair with the bull which would benefit from some minor attention and touching up. There appears to be an old minor repair to the top-rail of the same chair and a break to the rear left leg which has been restored. There are hairline construction cracks at the joints generally commensurate with age and normal usage and can be left.The chairs would appear to have their original webbing. On another armchair the one with the winged ram, one leg has been restored.
"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."

Comparative Literature:
Enrico Colle, Il Mobile Neoclassico in Italian, Milan, 2005, p. 152-153, no. 33 and p. 154, no. 34.

Colle op. cit., pp. 152-154, illustrates various armchairs manufactured in Rome dating to the last quarter of the 18th century which belong to a group of seat furniture of classical design and architectural form some with medallions  now conserved in Villa Borghese. All the seat furniture is inspired by Louis XVI models, however, the rich ornamentation typical of the work of Antonio Asprucci for the Borghese family. Various chair makers names are mentioned by the author for this group of seat furniture such as Ignazio Pescaglia, Giovanni Jamotti and Camillo Santori. The closest example to this suite of armchairs is an armchair illustrated by the same author op. cit., p. 153, with a neo-classical medallion on the top-rail in the Fondazione Caetani, Rome.