A pair of Italian ivory painted carved armchairs, Venetian circa 1730

each with a cartouche shaped drop-in padded back, the top-rail with a scrolled boss flanked by shells and a mermaid on one side and male sea creature with a lion pelt on his head on other side, above a serpentine padded seat above a pierced seat-rail, on cabriole legs, the frame carved with flowers foliage and rocaille on a stippled ground; slight variation in colour

Collection of the Counts Doná dalle Rose, Venice;
see G. Lorenzetti, L. Planiscig, La Collezione dei Conti Dona' dalle Rose a Venezia, Venice, 1934, catalogue of the sale, p. 77.
Sold from the Estate of the late Giuseppe Rossi, in these Rooms, 10th -12th March 1999, Vol. I, lot 94.
 

Joints sound and sturdy. Some wear to decoration with traces of original gilding in places. Some old minor restorations to carving which has been well executed. Some hairline construction cracks as visible from photograph which do not detract from the piece, which can either be left or filled. In overall very good conserved condition.
"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."

The present pair of armchairs was part of an important suite, now dispersed, and originally gilt (traces of gilding are present on our example). The suite has always reputedly been attributed to the Venetian sculptor Antonio Corradini due to the vague similarities with the chairs of the Venier suite (Ca' Rezzonico, Venice), although the attribution to the latter has been questioned by the more recent literature (see A. González-Palacios, II Tempio del Gusto, Vol. II, Milan, 1986, p.333-341).

Three armchairs (regilt) from the same suite are in the drawing room at Arundel Castle, Sussex.