Thomas Molesworth

with Native American "Sityaki Parrot" motif

Kelter-Malcé Antiques, New York

Terry Winchell, Molesworth: The Pioneer of Western Design, Layton, UT, 2005, p. 77 (for a related chair with the "Sityaki Parrot" motif)

Overall in good original condition. A very rare form and one of Molesworth's most ambitious motifs, this pair captures Molesworth's signature Western High Style. The wood surfaces with scattered scuffs, scratches, nicks, dents, abrasions, and some areas of rubbing and discoloration, consistent with age and use. There are natural knots, irregularities, and separations in the wood grain, typical for Inland fir, which have been reinforced with wood infill in areas by Molesworth at the time of production. The rear edges of both seatbacks with some more prominent areas of rubbing. The "Sityaki Parrot" motifs to both chairs retain the original paint and present with a faint craqueleur, visible in the printed catalogue detail photograph. There are also some surface scratches which, in some instances, have resulted in minor losses to the paint. The leather to both chairs is original and a pale pink hue; its surfaces with scattered surface scratches, nicks, dents, abrasions, craquelure, rubbing, staining, fading, and discoloration throughout and mainly concentrated to the seat surfaces, consistent with age and use and as visible in the catalogue illustration. Both chairs with some looseness to the joints throughout, particularly to the proper right legs of each chair and the seatbacks. The brass tacks with some minor surface scratches and areas of rubbing, not visually distracting and consistent with age and gentle use. The front two legs and the rear proper left leg of one chair with some scattered losses to the infill, the most significant area of loss located to the front proper left leg measuring approximately 11 x 1/8 in. The leather with some rubbing and wear concentrated to the corners and edges of the front seat rail and the front of the seat surface, the latter associated with the craquelure throughout; this wear with a small loss to the leather exposing the backing underneath, the loss measuring approximately 1/8 x ¼ in. The chair to the right in the catalogue illustration with losses to the infill to the front legs and the rear proper right leg, the most significant located to the front proper right leg measuring approximately 12 x 1/8 in. This same leg with a more prominent abrasion measuring approximately 1 x ¼ in. The leather to this chair also with some rubbing and wear concentrated to the corners and edges of the front seat rail and the front of the seat surface; the wear to the front two corners of the seat with small losses to the leather that expose the backing underneath, the larger measuring approximately 3/8 x ¼ in. An ambitious design executed in vibrant colors, the chairs present well overall.
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.