A late George III mahogany adjustable desk chair, early 19th century, in the manner of Morgan and Saunders

with an adjustable lectern and leather upholstered seat, the turned mahogany 'screw' mechanism supported by reeded, leaf carved and tapering legs united by a stretcher, losses

Probably William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire (1748-1811)

Possibly but not definitively that described in an inventory of Chiswick House, 25th September 1811; 'A mahogany library chair in red morocco leather and castors';
The Duchess of Devonshire, Chatsworth, The House, London, 2002, p. 226, part illustrated in the 'Four Score' attics at Chatsworth.

Country house condition and distressed. Lectern lacking support and re-polished with fractures to hinge sites. Leather covering very distressed and with tears and losses throughout. Chips and fractures to mahogany frame which has undergone some estate repairs and re-gluing. This armchair is of superior quality and was used by the last Duke. It has sustained much wear in its long history and will benefit from workshop attention and re-upholstery. There are losses to several elements which may require re-carving or re-casting. One brass capping and castor is lacking to the rear leg.
"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 design for this library reading chair relates to one in Rudolph Ackermann's, 'The Repository of Arts, Literature, Fashions & r.', 1809-1828, pl. 19. Ackermann made an outstanding contribution to the formation and dissemination of contemporary tastes in the early 19th century and 'The Repository' charts the development of furnishing styles of this period.

This was an era which prized innovation and ingenuity above all and the present lot brilliantly illustrates this with its pragmatic design. In 'The Repository', Ackermann describes it as one of ‘the most convenient and comfortable library chairs perhaps ever completed... gentlemen... sit across, with the face towards the desk, contrived for reading... when its occupier is tired of the first position, it is with the greatest ease turned round in a brass grove [sic], to either one side or the other; in which case, the gentleman sits sideways’. To conclude, he notes ‘They are now in great sale at the warerooms of the inventors, Messrs. Morgan and Saunders, Catherine Street, Strand'.

For a very similar chair by William Priest, see that illustrated by Christopher Gilbert, Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture, London, 1996, p. 379, fig. 743.