A group of George III cream and parcel-gilt painted beech and cane seat furniture, circa 1790, possibly to a design by James Wyatt

comprising: three side chairs and a single armchair ensuite, each with a moulded square back and with front square tapering legs and outswept rear legs, one with a paper label printed 'Drawing Room', one 'West Saloon' and the armchair also with 'West Saloon', re-decorated and distressed (4)

Probably ordered by William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire (1748-1811) or possibly Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire (1757-1806) for the new wing at Chiswick House, circa 1790

Chiswick House Inventory, 1811, 'Salloon [sic] West of Dome: 2 White and gold elbow chairs with cane back and seat' and '1 elbow ditto with a cushion and chintz and cotton case, 4 unarmed cane seated chairs', another recorded in Her Grace's Dressing Room, 'a White and Gold cane seat unarmed Chair' and two chairs from the group recorded in an adjoining bedroom and five further chairs recorded in the Drawing Room '5 White and Gold Square back Chairs cane backs and seats';
Chiswick House Inventory, 1863, p. 41, 'Drawing Room 6 white and gold cane seat chairs with loose seat cushion';
Chiswick House Inventory, 1869, p. 59 in the same room;
Chiswick House Inventory, 1892, p. 34 in the same room;
The Duchess of Devonshire, Chatsworth, The House, London, 2002, p. 164 where one side chair from the group illustrated;
Charlotte Mosley, The World of Interiors, ‘Debo’s Delights’, September 2010, p. 88, for one of the chairs illustrated in a Guest Bedroom.

Very distressed with wear to paint and flaking. Some panels re-caned. Re-decorated. Workshop attention required. The group include a later decorated seat cushion. Later wood batons to two chairs. Evidence of old worm. Old repairs including metal strengthening brackets. Sotheby's recommend that these chairs are inspected for worm and treated.
"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."

A pair of the side chairs appear in a watercolour of 1822 depicting the Gallery at Chiswick by William Henry Hunt. Chairs from this suite are photographed in various rooms at Chiswick in the latter part of the 19th century.

For comparison see a suite of cream and gilt painted seat furniture from Powderham Castle. This furniture is part of a group commissioned by William, 3rd Viscount Courtenay, later 9th Earl of Devon for the State Rooms at the Castle which were remodelled by Wyatt and completed in the 1790's. See Sotheby's, Two Noble Collections, Powderham Castle & Seaton Delaval, London, 29 September, Lots 40, 65-67 and 105.