A set of twelve George III ivory painted and parcel-gilt armchairs circa 1770

in the manner of John Linnell, with cartouche padded backs and serpentine seats, on cabriole legs, re-decorated, one with label `FROM/ I & J ASTFORD`S/ Late J.D. Br**ht & Co/ CABINET CHAIR/ and/ UPHOLSTERY MANUFACTORY/ SAXMUNDHAM,SUFFOLK,  over-painted and gilded in 1852 ( see pencil inscriptions on the stretcher)

Benacre Hall, Suffolk, almost certainly supplied to Sir Edward Sherlock Gooch, 6th Baronet, (1800-1864), by I & J Ashford of Saxmundham, established in 1838, passing by descent and subsequently sold Sotheby`s sale of the contents of Benacre Hall, 9,10 and 11th May 2000, designated `The Property of the Estate of the late Sir John Gooch, 12th Bt.', lot 38.

Benacre Hall inventory dated 1918, manuscript Inventory of the Property of Sir Thomas Vere Sherlock Gooch, June 1918,   listed p.102, in the Ball Room, ( a set of ten).

Benacre Hall inventory dated 1933, Inventory and Valuation of the Contents of Benacre Hall, the property of Sir Thomas Gooch, Bt.,  listed p.18, in the Ball Room.

As stated, these chairs have all been re-painted and re-gilded. This decoration is starting to flake on all of them with some major losses and will need to be stabilised. All have losses throughout. The painted scheme that is currently on these chairs dates from 1852 but has been refreshed and renewed subsequently. In particular one chair has a chipped rear foot. Another has a broken and repaired top-rail which will require further restoration. Another has a similarly broken top-rail and a badly chipped rear foot. . The upholstery is coming un-nailed from two chairs and will require attention. Another chair has a badly chipped and cracked rear foot.
"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."

This set of drawing room armchairs is virtually identical to a suite of gilt seat furniture comprising eight armchairs and two sofas, made by John Linnell in 1768 for William Drake of Shardeloes and now in the collection of Her Majesty the Queen ( see Helena Hayward and Pat Kirkham, William and John Linnell, 2 vols., 1980, vol. II, pp. 34 and 127, figs. 61 and 250). These suites correspond with a design for an armchair by Linnell now in the Victoria and Albert Museum, see illus.

A set of six closely related armchairs was sold Sotheby`s London, 2nd December 196, lot 109 and another suite is illustrated in the drawing room at Hagley Hall, Worcestershire, seat of George, 1st Lord Lyttelton, who was almost certainly a patron of John Linnell who supplied furniture to both his brother and his mistress ( cf. Gordon Nares, `Hagley Hall, Worcestershire', Country Life, 19th September 1957, p.609).