AN IMPORTANT SET OF FOURTEEN IRISH CARVED WALNUT CHAIRS, COMPRISING TWO ARM CHAIRS AND SEVEN SIDE CHAIRS AND FIVE SIDE CHAIRS OF A LATER DATE circa 1740

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 20, 200, lot 258

Armchair 1: overall in good sound condition. The rear seat rail resupported and with later blocks to frame. Small repaired cracks to top of splat and also to the shoe. The rear right side ear partially replaced. Loss to underside of right arm scroll terminal. Repair to top rail at junction with stile. Armchair 2: Also structurally sound. Small repaired cracks to top of splat. Repaired crack to underside of right arm scrolled terminal. Repaired crack to left arm support at juncture with stile. Rear left ears with repairs and partial replacements. The rear seat rail resupported and with later blocks. Rear left foot with age cracks. Small cracks and repairs to brackets. Chair 1: Overall good condition, small repairs to the ears, slight old crack to shoe. Chair 2: Rear left toe tipped, slight chip to top of right stile, small repairs to the ears, webbing to seat needs repair. Chair 3: Old repair to top of left stil and toprail and crack to right stile, minor old repairs to brackets. Chair 4: Triangular repaired patch to right end of shoe, plugged crack to top of right stile, partially replaced rear ear on right side and chip to underside of rear right foot, old repaired break to front left foot. Chair 5: Repaired crack to front left foor, small chip to back right foot pad, repaired crack to shoe, small opening of joint at top of right stile. Chair 6: Repairs and replacements to brackets, repaired crack to top of right stile/top rail. Chair 7: Partially replaced bracket on rear right side. The modern chairs overall in very good condition, two with slight shrinkage cracks to splats, good color match.
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.