A set of nine George III blue and white painted armchairs, and one side chair circa 1775, in the manner of Mayhew & Ince

the padded oval backs with scroll and plumed carved crests, the padded downcurved arms and stuffed seats with fluted rails centred on oval medallions, on fluted turned tapering front legs, later painting
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Possibly acquired or commissioned by John Crewe, 1st Baron Crewe (1742–1829) or his wife Frances Anne Crewe, Lady Crewe (1748–1818) for Crewe Hall, Cheshire.

In country house condition. The chairs have been re-decorated and the upholstery has been worn and stained and could benefit from attention. All the seat rails have not been inspected. Old marks and scratches throughout.
"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."

This suite of chairs with their French fashioned ‘cabriolet’ back, exposed rear back struts and voluted arm supports are very reminiscent of the devices employed by the Golden Square firm of Mayhew and Ince (1759 – 1804). The scrolled ends terminating at the junctures of the seat rails and front legs, was popularised by the architect Sir William Chambers’ Treatise on Civil Architecture, 1759. This French style was incorporated into much of the furniture made by elite London cabinet makers, most of whom, like Mayhew and Ince, were centred around the Soho-St Martin’s lane district. 

A set of almost identical chairs attributed to Mayhew and Ince incorporating eight armchairs, but without the top cresting, were supplied to George Greville, 2^nd Earl of Warwick (d.1818) for Warwick Castle. They were sold Christie’s, London, 10 April 2003, lot 25. Another pair of almost identical form was sold Christie’s, New York, 7 April 2006, lot 242.  A further pair of similar chairs, with the Mayhew and Ince attribution, were sold Sotheby's, 18 November 2008, lot 331.  

Several of these chairs appear in a drawing of the State Drawing Room at Crewe House, London. This pencil drawing was commissioned by Robert Crewe-Milnes, 1st Marquis of Crewe (1858-1945) from the artist Hanslip Fletcher in 1934.