A pair of George II walnut side chairs attributed to Giles Grendey, circa 1745

one chair marked WF.

Tapestry upholstery with some losses and tears. Overall in good condition with the usual minor abrasions and bruises consistent with use and age. Some old wood worm damage to the corner brackets. Side rails replaced. Two small losses to front returns and one back return. Very slight differences in carving.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

R.W. Symonds, the preeminent English furniture scholar, once noted that even though Grendey did not always label all his furniture, this distinctive cabriole leg on scroll feet meant "that one might infer that all chairs and stools with this leg came from Grendey's workshop" (R.W. Symonds, "More About Labelled Furniture", The Connoisseur, December 1931, p. 407, fig. VIII). Grendey, interestingly, is one of the few English furniture makers of the George II period who actually labeled their output. These labels have allowed for scholars to definitively trace certain models back to Grendey, such as the present example. An almost identical suite with the Grendey workshop label was supplied to Gunton Park, Norfolk in 1740-45 (illustrated P. Macquiod, A History of English Furniture- The Age of Mahogany, London, 1906, vol. II, pp. 122-123, figs. 104, 105).

The present pair of chairs has a WF mark on one chair. Grendey's workshop is known for the monogram stamps of its workmen. WF appears on other Grendey pieces such as a pair of library armchairs sold Christie's London, March 9, 2006, lot 75 or a single armchair sold Christie's New York, October 18, 2005, lot 503. Other examples of this model were sold from the Estate of Mrs. John E. Rovensky, Parke-Bernet Galleries, January 16, 1957, lots 586 and 587; Sotheby's New York December 13, 1986, lot 187; Parke-Bernet Galleries, April 11, 1967, lot 171; Christie's New York, October 16, 1995, lot 32; Sotheby's New York, April 4, 2007, lot 151. Another suite is from the collection of the 1st Viscount Leverhulme and illustrated in M. Harris & Son, A Catalogue and Index of Old Furniture and Works of Art, vol. II, n.d., p. 200.