Fine and Rare Pair of Queen Anne Shell-Carved Walnut Compass-Seat Side Chairs, Boston, Massachusetts, Circa 1750

one seat rail marked V with slip seat II, the other chair with seat rail marked IIII and slip seat marked VI. One chair with its proper right knee return replaced.

Harold Cole, Woodbury, Connecticut.

Wear commensurate with age and use. Refinished surface. Each shows traces of worm to the rear seat rail. One chair with replaced glue blocks; loss to the interior scroll of the shell decoration on the proper front left knee, with other dents and abrasions associated with age and use, a 3 inch crack to the proper top left corner of the splat. The other chair with a crack to the proper left side of the crest, with an associated 3 inch by 1 inch vertical patch to the stile at the junction with the crestrail and a similar patch to the top of the opposing stile. The proper front left leg was cracked and reglued at the junction with the side and front seatrails.
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.