A PAIR OF GEORGE III CARVED FRUITWOOD LIBRARY ARMCHAIRS, CIRCA 1760, IN THE MANNER OF THOMAS CHIPPENDALE |

each cartouche shaped back, arms and seat upholstered in a gros and petit point needlework, with rocaille and foliate scroll carved frames with outscrolling arms over a shaped, rocaille-clasp centred front rail on carved cabriole legs with scrolled trifurcated feet, originally gilded

Generally these chairs are in excellent condition. Colour and patina are both very good. The scale is very generous and they stand extremely elegantly. Chair 1: There is old worm damage throughout consistent with age, and the type of timber used, which is more apparent when the chair is viewed from the back. There are areas where the worm has been field and coloured in which have been sensitively done and do not detract from the overall appearance. There are some minor losses to carved detail consistent with age and use which do not detract. Old crack to one arm support. All feet apart from the front right hand foot have been repaired and spliced. Chair 2: Generally good condition with less old worm damage than the other chair. There is some worm damage throughout but it has been sensitively filed and does not significantly detract. The left hand foot has been repaired. Minor old marks, scratches and losses to carved detail, consistent with age and use. The needlework upholstery on both the backs and seats incorporate 18th century petit-point (with some repairs), and the surrounding gros-point design is later. The backs have central figural scenes in landscapes and the seats have birds or animals within the cartouches. Generally there are minor repairs within the cartouche figured landscapes and to the outer surrounds. The red braid attached to the edges of the seat panels and the arm-rests is modern. The chair with the dancing figures on the seat back has oxidisation to the browns (with some of foundation visible) within the landscape cartouche, for example to the tricorn hats. The inner top right curve of the sky against the inner cartouche edge is later light repair. The petit-point faces are in good condition. The seat panel has a loose wool thread in the back left corner of the gros-point, and hole in both the front left (visible in the photograph) and right corners. Holes have loose threads and linen underneath showing. There is some repair within the design with three animals in the central cartouche. The chair with the seat back with upholstery depicting figures at a gaming table, has some repairs to the browns in the lower section of landscape cartouche. The inner top left curve of the sky against the inner cartouche edge, running across the top above the trees, is later light repair. The petit-point faces are in good condition. The seat panel has a small hole in both the front left and right corners (visible in the photograph). There is some repair within the design in the cartouche with some losses to petit-point of the birds, otherwise stable. Section of the braid and inner linings is coming away from the front of the chair rail and needs reattaching. The arms on both chairs are all of the same design. The petit-point in the centre has some losses, otherwise stable. The reverse of both chairs is covered in cerise floral silk damask, which covers the stepped section across the bottom and there are some horizontal splits to the silk along the edge of the block. Otherwise silk in good condition. The needlework upholstery is overall in good, stable, usable condition.
"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."