George Walton

Fine Arts Society, London
Acquired from the above by the present owner, circa 1980s

Frank Russell, A Century of Chair Design, London, 1985, p. 49 (for the model with a caned seat)
Karen Moon, George Walton:  Designer and Architects, Oxford. 1993, p. 63 (for the model at John Rowntree's cafe and Miss Cranston's Buchanan Street tea rooms, Glasgow), p. 70 (for the model at Elm Bank, York), p. 78 (for the model exhibited at Artist's Guild exhibition of 1899), and p. 82 (for the model in the Kodak showroom at 72-4 Buchanan Street, Glasgow)

Overall in very good condition. The finish to mahogany elements of the chair with some minor imperfections, including a few occasional drips that appear inherent in the making. The finish with some areas of rubbing, concentrated primarily to the top and edges of the arms, which are consistent with use. The finish to the portion of the frame adjacent to the seat with some isolated occasional minor areas with surface soiling and imperfections to the finish. The wooden elements of the chairs with minor nicks, dings, edge chips and surface scratches throughout consistent with gentle use and age. The lower portion of the feet with slightly more nicks and dings as expected. The chair frame with a few minute seam separations commensurate with age. This chair appears to retain later upholstery, which is executed in a manner consistent with the original design. The brass upholstery tacks appear original and are in very good condition with some minor rubbing to finish at the high points. A wonderful very sculptural design with great detail when viewed in person.
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.

A contemporary and collaborator of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the Scottish architect and designer George Walton opened his business, George Walton & Co., Ecclesiastical and House Decorators, in 1888.  Following his move to London in 1897, George Davison, the head of Kodak’s European sales, commissioned him to design the shop fronts, interiors and furniture for Kodak’s European branches.  Karen Moon writes that while the plans for these Kodak showrooms share both a general aesthetic and usage of specific forms and fittings, they stopped short of uniformity (George Walton:  Designer and Architects, Oxford, 1993, p. 81).  The present model was one of these commonly-used furnishings that Walton employed in Kodak’s showrooms, as well as several of the tea rooms he designed in Glasgow.  It was produced with both varnished and painted frames, and with upholstered and caned seats and backs.