A fine and rare George II walnut and needlework-upholstered side chair circa 1745

with associated ^{18th century needlework; each back leg stamped WF within the underframe. Restorations and replacements.}

Overall good restored condition and with a later polished surface; the upper section of the backrest with a replaced section to the needlework as seen in catalogue illustration; the associated needlework with some losses and areas of reworking throughout; the front apron with age crack to right side of human mask; an approximate 4 inch replaced section to the apron left of the central mask; repaired break to the bottom edge of left c-scroll; the front left side bracket replace; a small patch to left side and a replaced section to carving, the bottom of c-scroll bracket with a chip; later bracket to the back right leg on the right side apron and small replaced section to apron; the back apron a small replaced section, and with some age cracks to the apron and to one bracket; the underside with areas of old worm; back corner struts replaced; the back left leg with old repaired break at top at join with back and left side seat rail; very small drill holes to interior side of seat rails where later arms were probably attached; once fitted with corner blocks; overall with old marks, scratches, scuffs and bruises.
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.

Of unusual design, this imposing side chair ornamented on the seat rail with a finely modeled female mask, is closely related to a small group of seat furniture which can be assumed to have been made by an as yet unknown chair-maker.  Including two other chairs similarly carved in walnut, a stool and a sofa, its overall profile is very similar, although differing in detail such as the back legs which in the others have stylized hoof feet, the fine detail of the carved shells.  In respect to the masks, the chair formerly with M. Harris and Sons, (see Ralph Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, 1953, fig. 115, p. 263), appears to be identical, whereas the one formerly in the Collection of Frederick Poke, sold Sotheby's, London, June 13, 2001, has a somewhat leaner face.  The shells on the knees of the M. Harris example appear to be identical to the present example, whereas the Poke example has subtle differences.  A stool in this group, now in the collection of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, also appears to have an identical mask, although the shells differ from the examples found on the chairs (see The Best-Is-Not-Too-Good-For-You – Colonial Williamsburg Celebrates 50 Years of Collecting, 2001, p. 16).  The early cross-cut molded form of the seat rail moldings is found on all the examples, although that on the present chair is ornamented with carving of scrolled leaves.  Other chairs presumably from the same workshop are recorded with masks in the form of satyrs' heads, the profile of the frames and carved ornament being related to the above group (see R. W. Symonds, English Furniture from Charles II to George II, 1929, p. 24, figs. 12, 13).

The present chair is also closely related to another group of walnut and gilt-wood seat furniture, the seat rails of which are ornamented with similar pendent cartouches ornamented with sprays of leaves as opposed to masks.  Of these, a walnut side chair of similar stature and related profile, but with 'hoof' form back feet is illustrated by Edwards, op. cit., p. 263, fig. 114, and an armchair with a vase-form splat, drop-in seat and supported on shell carved legs with claw-and-ball feet, which was in the Baum Collection, sold Sotheby's, New York, October 22, 2004, lot 414.  It also bears close comparison with a suite of gilt wood seat furniture commissioned by Sir Robert Walpole for the Marble Parlor at Houghton, Norfolk, circa 1740, a pair of the arm chairs having been sold Sotheby's, New York, Tom Devenish: The Collection, April 24, 2008, lot 21; these have almost identical front legs to the present chair, the carved shells to the knees being remarkably similar in their carved detail, although having an extra pendent bell-flower. The back legs have similar 'hoof' feet as noted in the other related chairs, and the seat rails have similarly molded edges, although their cross-cut construction is hidden by the gilt-gesso.  Unfortunately, all the original documentation regarding the Houghton chairs was destroyed in the eighteenth century, although William Bradshaw or Benjamin Goodison has been suggested as the possible makers.

The design of the front leg, with its well carved claw-and-ball toe and stylized shell carving to the knee, may also be compared to the documented work of Giles Grendey (see Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture 1700-1840, Christopher Gilbert, 1996, p. 242, fig. 434.).  However, as Beard and Christopher remark in the Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840 , 1986, p. 372, he 'seems not to have worked to any great extent for the nobility and gentry... and '.who made good through middle-class goods for the home market', the overall design of the present stool being more ambitious than their known work.  The present chair is also stamped with the initials WF which are possibly those of a journeyman, which is not an unusual feature of Grendey's work; however, the character of these does not confirm to known examples.