An important set of nine Irish George II walnut dining chairs circa 1740, together with five later side chairs

comprising two armchairs and seven side chairs together with five later side chairs.  14 pieces.  Each back with a slightly arched crest rail with rope-carved molding above a shaped pierced splat, the uprights with C-scrolls at each upper corner centered by flower heads and with foliate and folower head clasp at the center, the over upholstered seats on cabriole legs carved at the knees with foliate ornamented flower heads with ruffled brackets with scroll terminals and with carved paw feet, the outswept plain cabriole legs with C-scroll brackets and pad toes, the solid molded arms with acanthus leaf carved scroll terminals, the incurved supports similarly  carved; the undersides with small metal plates stamped WCW and variously numbered.

The Collection of Whitney Miller, New York
Sotheby's, New York, April 11, 1987, lot 283, Property from the Estate of Flora Whitney Miller
Christie's, New York, October 19, 2000, lot 258

Overall good restored condition. One armchair with loss to scroll to underside of terminal of right armrest. The back rail reinforced with later inner-rail. Some old worm damage to feet is present. The scroll top to back right side brackets is replaced. The second armchair with loss to scroll to underside of terminal of right armrest. The tip to one back bracket is replaced. All side chairs with later back rail of each fitted with a later inner rail for reinforcement. The first side chair with a replaced scroll to the back right bracket. A small chip to the underside to the back left foot is also present. The second side chair’s scroll to the back right bracket is replaced. Old repair to the right side seat rail at join with front right leg. The third side chair with replaced scroll to the back right bracket. Both side seat-rails appear to be replaced. The fourth side chair with a replaced scroll to the back right bracket. The upholstered seat is broken. The fifth side chair with small shim next to the base of the splat at join with the shoe. The sixth side chair with a replaced rail on the right side. The seventh chair with two replaced side rails, and the back right bracket with a replaced scroll. Two modern side chairs with broken upholstery to the underside of the seat. One modern side chair with an old chip to the top of the back right leg.
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.

Two stools with identically carved legs, presumably from the same suite, are recorded. One was formerly in the collection of Sir John Ward, Dudley House, Park Lane, London, illustrated in The Connoisseur, March 1921, H. Ceskinsky, 'The Collection of the Hon. Sir John Ward, K.C.V.O.',  p. 145, no. XIII. Another stool from the collection of the Harvard University Art Museums, was sold Christie's, New York, January 21, 1999, lot 324.