An Italian Transitional carved giltwood armchair Rome, Circa 1770

The Alberto Bruni Tedeschi Collection, sold Sotheby's London, March 21, 2007, lot 131

With scattered age and construction cracks, dents and abrasions. Seatreail with repaired small crack/break in front left corner, now with some minor later gesso. Carving with rubbing; most to armrests. Scattered old worm damage; most to legs and seatrails and mostly visible on underside. Gesso with abrasions, rubbing and minor chips and losses. Regilt, gilding with rubbing and some losses. In good 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.
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 armchair is a superb example of the Roman art of chair-making, the highly unusual carving on the back making it a unique model. Although the form is still Rococo, the presence of the Roman profile medallions and the guilloche motif are of Neoclassical inspiration. An identically carved armchair of the same measurements with variations in the medallion formerly in the Pallesi Collection is illustrated Carlo Steiner, Mobili ed Ambienti Italiani dal Gotico al Floreale, Milano, 1963, fig. 520 and sold Sotheby's London, June 11, 2003, lot 77. Because of the same measurements and design this chair was most likely the pair to the present lot.