A pair of George III mahogany hall chairs circa 1790 attributed to Gillows of Lancaster

the oval back painted to the centre with the letter C surmounted by a painted Coronet , the underside of the back-rail stamped I

Supplied to William, 3^rd Viscount Courtenay, later 9^th Earl of Devon(1768-1835) and thence by descent.  (Together with lots 26 - 28)

Inventory 1803, recorded as a set of twelve in the Great Hall
Inventory 1880, six are recorded in the Staircase hall

Illustrated 'Powderham Castle', Country Life, April 4^th 1908, Vol. XXIII, p. 487, in the Staircase Hall.
Illustrated 'Powderham Castle I', Mark Girouard, Country Life, July 4^th 1963, Vol. CXXXIV, p. 21 in the Marble Hall.

Good general condition.Colour and patina are both good. One back has some age cracks and has been repaired and filled rather crudely to the back side. The joints on both are slightly loose. Both seats rather pitted consistent with having been sat on by liveried staff.
"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."

An almost Identical drawing of a Hall chair by Gillows is illustrated in Lindsay Boynton, Gillow Furniture Designs 1760-1800, 1995, pl. 255

Given the architectural context of the present chairs, it is interesting to note that Robert Gillow II (1745-1795), who ran the London branch of Gillows, was a close friend of James Wyatt's architect brother Samuel. Their close association with each other led to commissions furnishing many notable English country houses (see L. Boynton, op. cit. pp.19-20 for a discussion of the Wyatt-Gillow alliance)