A set of eight Regency brass-inlaid rosewood caned dining chairs circa 1815

comprising two armchairs and six side chairs, each armchair with a rectangular cresting rail centered by a foliate brass inlaid panel surmounted by two reeded scrolled elements flanked by scrolled stiles above continuing scrolled armrests, the caned seat raised on sabre legs.  Variations.

Overall good restored condition; six chairs with horsehair upholstered loose cushions which are attached to the caning with thread and mounted to the backs with metal snaps; each seat with a plugged hole to tops of back and front rails at center probably for a drop-in seat, caning possibly a later addition; overall with some minor lifting to stringing in places; tarnishing to the brass throughout; some sun fading to chairs with some perishing to finish in places; overall with some nicks, scratches, minor scuffs, wear to edges of feet. Armchair 'X' with two small patches to the cresting rail panel at the top right and bottom right corners; right side of right armrests with thin age cracks at join with stile; old repaired break to left side of central horizontal splat next to the central tablet; age crack to back rest; lifting to stringing of front apron and to front left leg; front left leg lacking stringing to the far left edge. Armchair 'V' with a loss of approximately 1/8 inch by 2 1/4 inches to the bottom right corner of the central tablet of the horizontal splat; caning replaced and in good condition; lifting to stringing of front left leg and with a loss to the bottom of stringing to far left edge approximately 7 1/2 inches long. Side chair 'I' old repaired break to top of right stile at join with cresting rail, the cresting rail with a subsequent rectangular patch to the back at this join; old repaired break to top of left stile at join with cresting rail; central tablet to horizontal splat lacking left side stringing and with a small chip to the timber at left side; front left leg, front right leg and back right leg each have a plug to the side at join with seat rails and with some inpainting; caning broken to the front and front corners; very small losses to the bottom of the stringing to each front foot. Side chair 'II' with old repaired break to stile and appears to be spliced from the central splat through the tip of the stile with a subsequent rectangular patch to the back side of the cresting rail at join with stile; and with small chip to the right side of the central splat at join with stile; the cresting rail lacking stringing to the left side; and with a patch to the right side of the right stringing; caning broken to the back edge and to back left side and corner; later tenon to underside of the left side rail at join with the front left leg; inside edge of back right leg with a small hole and with perishing to finish around the hole. Side chair 'III' with a plug to the side of the front left leg at join with seat rail; small chips to bottom of central tablet of horizontal splat; very small losses to the bottom of the stringing of front legs at feet. Side chair 'IV' with breaks to caning at front edge; loss to bottom stringing of cresting rail and bottom stringing of central tablet to horizontal splat and with a small chip to tablet; slight lifting to stringing of front right leg. Side chair 'V' with old repaired break to left side of cresting rail at join with stile and now with a rectangular patch to the back side and with three small patches to the front at join with the stile; front left and back left legs each with an inpainted plug to the sides at join with seat rails; front right leg with two plugs to the side at join with seat rail; caning broken to back and side edges. Side chair 'VI' with two small patches to the front right side and top right corner of the cresting rail; the central splat with an old repaired break to the left side at join with stile; back left and front left legs each with a plug to the side at join with seat rails; caning broken on three edges; front right leg with age cracks and some wear.
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.