A fine set of twelve George III mahogany dining chairs circa 1780

each arched cresting rail carved with ribbon-tied berried laurel leaves above ribbon-tied reeded columnar splats headed by berried laurel sprays and raised on spreading plinths with drapery swags flanked by reeded stiles headed by flower-head patera; the over-upholstered seat above aprons carved to match the cresting rail and raised on stiff-leaf-carved circular tapering reeded legs with beaded collars.

Formerly in the collection of Francis P. Garvan, sold by Arthur S. Vernay Inc., in 1929.  Another two chairs from this collection were sold at Sotheby's, New York, January 21, 1995, lot 352

Sold, Sotheby's, New York, April 25, 1992, lot 471

Robert Symonds, Masterpieces of English Furniture and Clocks, London: 1940, p. 20, fig. 12 illustrated

Good condition; beautifully carved, very nice color and surface; sturdy; some with screw holes to undersides of rails where battens were attached for carrying purposes. One with a small loss to molded edge of top left stile. Another with small chips to leaf tips of front right flower-head patera above front right leg. One with small chip to top right corner of molded edge of front right leg above the patera and with two replaced sections to bottom molded edge to front seat rail beneath the laurel-carving. One appearing to have two replaced flower-head patera above the front legs. One with a replaced patera to the right side of the front right leg. One with a replaced patera to the top of the left stile and with inpainting. One with old repaired break to back left leg at join with seat rail. Overall with some chips and wear to beaded collars and some nicks and wear to extremities consistent with age and use; chairs appear to have been fitted with casters.
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 present chairs with their magnificently crisply carved backs and beautiful classical details share affinity to a number of designs and the work of some of the leading London cabinet makers of the last quarter of the 18^th century including, John Linnell, Thomas Chippendale and Gillows.  The chairs are evocative of the work of John Linnell especially making use of ribbon-tied  reeded stiles to the backrest and the laurel-wreath carved aprons, motifs which can be found on seat furniture he made for Osterley Park.  (Hayward and Kirkham, op. cit. figs. 50, 51, 52, 66); The berried-laurel apron can also be seen on pieces by Thomas Chippendale especially on a suite of seat furniture including a settee and set of twelve armchairs commissioned for the Tapestry Room at Newby Hall, circa 1775. (Gilbert, op. cit., pp. 107 and 202, figs. 180 and 368)  The backrest is very similar to two chair designs by Gillows of 1791 and 1789 styled 'Spanish back chairs'. (Boynton, op. cit. nos. 276 and 279) The berried laurel apron and stiff-leaf-carved reeded legs are also very similar to the design for a window seat or 'Stool' made by Gillows for Robert Peal Esq. in 1786. (Boynton, op. cit. no. 292).

 

See:

Lindsay Boynton, Gillow Furniture Designs: 1760-1800, Woodbridge, 1998

Christopher Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, New York, 1978

Helena Hayward and Pat Kirkham, William and John Linnell, New York, 1980