Lot 93
  • 93

A pair of George II carved mahogany open armchairs, circa 1750

Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 GBP
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Description

  • mahogany
each with square padded back and seat, covered in a contemporary silk velvet, with outswept arms and carved lion mask terminals on downswept supports joined to the side of the seats, on shell carved cabriole legs flanked by acanthus, with stop fluted cabriole legs, ending on pad feet

Condition

A very elegant and finely carved pair of chairs in good conserved condition, the left arm to one chair with an expertly restored break. The large velvet upholstery in excellent condition. The colour of the velvet is a rich green, and not as blue as in the printed catalogue. With some minor old marks and scratches, typical of use. These superb chairs are ready to place.
"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."

Catalogue Note

The present chairs with their out scrolled shepherd’s crook arms terminating in lion heads and shell carved cabriole legs, form part of a distinct group of the highest quality English seat furniture of the mid-18th century. The quality of the chair’s construction and timber alludes to a prominent cabinet maker’s touch. Although at this juncture it has not been possible to ascertain with certainty the maker for these chairs, the use of fluted cabriole legs relates to a suite supplied by Paul Saunders and George Smith Bradshaw to the Earl of Leicester at Holkham Hall, Norfolk. Smith Bradshaw and Saunders are also credited with a suite of chairs supplied to the Marquess of Bath at Longleat, Somerset with similar flute carved legs.

Whilst the use of the richly carved out scrolled lions heads bears strikingly similar resemblance to chairs formerly in two of the greatest collections of English furniture of the 20th century. Formed by Percival D. Griffiths and Joseph Sassoon Sykes these collections were carefully put together under the strict guidance of R. W. Symonds and are regarded as apogees of Georgian furniture. Indeed the chair, closely related to the present lot, formerly belonging to Sykes now forms part of the renowned Gerstenfeld collection (Edward Lennox-Boyd Ed., The Gerstenfeld Collection, London, 1998, p. 26, 38, 54-55, pl. 14, 39, cat. no. 44).