A pair of George III mahogany hall chairs circa 1765

Possibly the Scudmore Family, Holme Lacy House, Hertfordshire
Sold Sotheby's New York, February 7, 1981, lot 83
The Collection of Gloria Vanderbilt
Sold Sotheby's New York, January 25, 1997, lot 212

Overall good restored condition; with a glossy surface; seats with restorations; fillets to undersides of seats between seats and rails to compensate for bowing; some restorations to the legs; chairs are sturdy; some old inpainted age cracks to one seat; bruises and wear.
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.

An identical pair of hall chairs was sold, Sotheby’s, London, November 18, 1994, lot 113.

These chairs are believed to have come from Holme Lacy House, Hertfordshire originating in the collection of the Scudmore family whose crest appears in the center of the backs.  The Scudmores were of ancient lineage, tracing their ancestry to the time of the Conquest and held the estate at Holme Lacy from the early 15^th century.  An imposing house was built in the late 17^th century during the life of John, 2^nd Viscount Scudmore (circa 1650-97).  The date of these chairs indicates that they were most likely commissioned by Frances Scudmore, granddaughter of the 3^rd Viscount, who inherited Holme Lacy from her mother in 1749, retaining the property until her death in 1820.  Frances Scudmore married Charles Howard, Duke of Norfolk, but died without issue, Holme Lacy therefore passing to a cousin and later to the Earls of Chesterfield, who sold the property in 1909.

It is interesting to note that Frances’s mother, also called Frances, had an interesting romantic escapade which sent shock waves of scandal through the higher reaches of the English aristocracy.  Originally married to the 3^rd Duke of Beaufort, she was divorced by him on the grounds of criminal conduct and afterwards distinguished herself by eloping with the future Earl Talbot and subsequently marrying the illegitimate son of the 1^st Duke of Grafton.