An important set of eleven George III mahogany dining chairs circa 1765

together with a later matching armchair. One seat rail with a black ivorine Norman Adams label.  12 pieces.

Castle Hill, Englefefield Green, Surrey
Norman Adams Ltd., from whom acquired in 1986

Illustrated:

Norman Adams Yearbook, London, 1985, pl. 13

Overall good restored condition; Chair #1 with old repaired breaks to cresting rail at join with stiles; old repaired chip to left stile; back of each stile with two small plugs; small placed section to center of splat. Chair #2 with old repaired breaks to cresting rail at join with stiles and with join to top of splat now with small areas of inpainting; the top of the splat with old repaired breaks and with age cracks to the center; interior edge of back seat rail with some chips; back left leg with patch to one corner of lower section. Chair #3 with old repaired breaks to cresting rail at join with stiles with subsequent plugs to the reverse of the cresting rail and stiles; two small repaired cracks to center of splat; repaired chip to interior edge of left stile. Chair #4 with old repaired breaks to cresting rail at join with stiles with subsequent plugs; small patched repair to reverse of splat at center. Chair #5 with old repaired break to cresting rail at join with right stile; repaired age crack to splat at center; the seat rail with a black ivorine label bearing the mark for Norman Adams. Chair #6 with old patch repair to cresting rail at join with splat; some infilled age crack to center of splat. Chair #7 with old repaired breaks to cresting rail at join with left stile and with top of splat; infilled age cracks to center splat; top of back seat rail possibly later. Chair #8 (armchair) with old repaired break to top of left armrest support at join with armrest. Chair # 9(armchair) the cresting rail with old patched repaired break at join with splat; the splat with small breaks to the top with subsequent inpainting; old repaired break to cresting rail at join with right stile; old repaired breaks to tops of armrests supports at joins with armrest; H-stretcher possibly replaced; the inside edge of the left and right seat rails with three screws at join with bases of armrest supports. Chair #10 with old repaired break to cresting rail at join with right stile; vertical age cracks to splat at center and at the base. Chair #11 with old repaired breaks to cresting rail at join with splat and with small patched repair at join with right side of splat; the splat with old repaired breaks to top and with age cracks to center; back left leg with patch to back corner of lower section; H-stretcher possibly later; front right bracket later. Chair #12 with old repaired breaks to cresting rail at joins with stiles and at join with top of splat; the splat with some vertical age cracks; interior edge of left stile with repaired chip; the front seat rail with a wood fillet to the top inside edge. Overall with minor chips and wear to carving and with old marks, scratches, scuffs and bruises; later corner blocks; old worm to seat rails.
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.

The 'Gothick' movement had its origins in the late 17^th century but became popular in the early 18^th century, a style used by the great architects of that period, including Sir Christopher Wren, Nicholas Hawksmoor, Sir John Vanbrugh and William Kent.  The collector Horace Walpole was its most famous 18^th century proponent, using the style throughout his famous 'Gothick' house, Strawberry Hill.  In his first edition of The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director, 1754, Thomas Chippendale illustrates variations for Gothic tracery backrests for chairs, with which the present chair shares affinities in its cusped ogee arches.  A chair from Percy Macquoid's collection with a similar top rail and pierced tracery backrest is illustrated, Percy Macqouid and Ralph Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, Woodbridge: Barra Books, 1983 rev. ed., vol. I, p. 279, fig. 167.

An almost identical set of twelve dining chairs from the collection of Anthony Hardcastle, Esq., Asthall Manor, Oxfordshire, was sold, Christie's, London, July 6, 2000, lot 62 (£52,875).