- 794
The Fisher-Wharton-Smith Family Very Fine and Rare Chippendale Mahogany Camel-Back Serpentine-Front Sofa, Philadelphia, Circa 1780
Estimate
15,000 - 30,000 USD
bidding is closed
Description
- mahogany
- Height 37 1/2 in. by Width 89 5/8 in. by Width 26 1/2 in.
retains original under-upholstery on back; stretchers repaired.
Provenance
Samuel Rowland Fisher (1745-1834), Philadelphia;
Deborah Fisher Wharton (1795-1889), Philadelphia;
Esther Fisher Wharton (1836-1915), Philadelphia;
Esther Morton Smith (1865-1942), Newport, Rhode Island;
Property from a direct descendant of the original owner;
Christie's, New York, Important American Furniture, Folk Art and Decorative Arts, October 23, 1993, sale 7752, lot 223
Deborah Fisher Wharton (1795-1889), Philadelphia;
Esther Fisher Wharton (1836-1915), Philadelphia;
Esther Morton Smith (1865-1942), Newport, Rhode Island;
Property from a direct descendant of the original owner;
Christie's, New York, Important American Furniture, Folk Art and Decorative Arts, October 23, 1993, sale 7752, lot 223
Condition
Wear commensurate with age and use. The proper right and central stretcher are patched and reglued at the junction with the medial stretcher. The proper back left leg appears to have been reglued at the junction with the rear seat rail.
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.
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.
Catalogue Note
This sofa was brought from Philadelphia by Esther Morton Smith when she moved to Newport, Rhode Island, in the late 19th/ early 20th century. The provenance of this sofa is related to another Philadelphia camel-back sofa at the Department of State, which was purchased from a direct descendant of Charles Wharton and Samuel Rowland Fisher (See Clement E. Conger and Alexandra W. Rollins, Treasures of State: Fine and Decorative Arts in the Diplomatic Reception Rooms of the U.S. Department of State, (New York: H.N. Abrams, 1991), pp. 154-5, fig. 69). The preservation of the original under-upholstery and webbing on the back of this sofa makes it a rare survival and an important document to period upholstery techniques. This sofa is one of the few remaining examples from Philadelphia which retain their under-upholstery and stuffing; the other is the Wharton and Fisher sofa at the Department of State, which retains both its original under-upholstery as well as its yellow moreen covering on the back.