A pair of George III mahogany armchairs, circa 1760

of wide proportions, each with cartouche-shaped padded back and seat upholstered in yellow and blue floral silk, the back carved overall with rocaille foliate scrolls and centred by an acanthus clasp, above outscrolled leaf-carved arms with padded armrests, on leaf-carved cabriole legs with ending on raised scroll feet

These impressive armchairs are in a good conserved condition; one chair with repaired breaks to left arm joint and left leg; some repairs to veneers of rails, and minor marks of woodworm which seems to be no longer active. There are small losses to carving of left arm; now on castors. Second armchair lacks front legs castors and has repaired breaks to leg and right arm joint. have small losses to carving of back and minor repaired breaks; One chair with two joint breaks to back needing attention and repairs to veneers of rails; the other chair with small breaks to back. Both with marks and scratches consistent with age and use. A varnish has been applied to surface which can be improved with its removal. Now upholstered in a modern yellow floral silk.
"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."

The pair of armchairs belonging to this rare suite of furniture (lots 227-230), are clearly inspired by Chippendale ‘French Chairs’ and are of an unusual and luxurious scale which must have been a particular request from the patron who commissioned them. The model of the side chairs on the other hand, with its sophisticated blend of Gothick and rococo carved elements, seems to be unrecorded and is evidently the product of design experiments evolving from the influential Chippendale’s Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director and plate XIII of his 1^st edition (1754) shows a related example with a cartouche shaped back. Eight years later, Ince and Mayhew in their Universal System of Household Furniture also published designs for two chairs which incorporate different aspects seen in the present lot, such as the ear shaped elements to the back or the carved double arch to the lower section and even the trilobate cusp. With its accomplished design and fine quality carving, this and the following three lots reveal a successful blend of influences, a product of the creative and prolific London cabinetmaking milieu of the 1760’s, spearheaded by the ubiquitous figure of Thomas Chippendale.