A suite of Italian blue lacquered and carved giltwood seat furniture, Parma, circa 1780

comprising a sofa and four chairs, the sofa with an oblong back with curved ends with ribbon-tied floral top-rail, padded back, downscrolled arms on serpentine seat, the seat-rail with stylised Greek-key motif on fluted tapering legs and toupie feet, with similarly carved chairs with oval backs

A set in good conserved condition, the decoration of the sofa and the chairs retains an attractively warm colour. There are overall marks and scratches consistent with age and use as well as flaking in places to the gilding, and traces of old woodworm which appears to be no longer active. The back of one chair with two breakages needs to be secured.
"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."

Related Literature:
G. Cirillo, G. Godi, Il Mobile a Parma Fra Barocco e Romanticismo, 1600-1860, 1983

This suite of seat furniture in the neo-classical style with stylised Greek key decoration appears on seat furniture originating from Parma and is influenced by French Louis XVI models.

A chair with an oval pierced back with identical stylised Greek key motif on the seat-rail to that on the offered suite is illustrated by Cirillo and Godi, op. cit., p. 196, fig. 543.