A George III giltwood armchair circa 1770-5, attributed to Thomas Chippendale

the guilloche-incised oval shaped padded back with acanthus cresting, padded down-scrolled arms and stuffed seats over fluted rails, on anthemion and acanthus carved cabriole legs, the gilding distressed

Acquired from Mallett & Son Ltd., London, 20th October 1967.

Christopher Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1978, Vol II, p. 108, fig 182.

This elegant chair presents a good condition in terms of construction and carving. It has a small repair to top of back and the front legs ears have had probably small garlands, now missing. The back stretcher is most likely a replacement. It is possible that the chair has had a decorative apron at one point in its life, complimenting the foliate carvings of the cabriole legs, which is evidenced by pin marks to the underside of the front rail. The gilding is very dry and flaky with many and large areas of losses. Some areas show the original gilding, others the pinkish tone bole, others the gesso. The arms ends show wear, having lost completely their gilding and revealing the wood. Very few marks of old woodworm and the back supports show nail marks from previous upholsteries. The chair is in need of re-upholstery and conservation of the gilding is advisable.
"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 armchair demonstrates Thomas Chippendale's unique ability to both successfully define and conform to the prevailing tastes of his time, in this instance the 'French' inspired giltwood seat furniture that was so sought after by his English patrons in the late 1760's and early 1770’s. As Christopher Gilbert notes in his seminal work, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1978, Vol I, p.119, ‘Chippendale was content to merge neo-Classical rhetoric with sprightly Rococo conceit’, and this armchair is great example of that spirit with the guilloche border, classical fluting and honey suckle motifs being employed alongside the acanthus carved cabriole legs, ubiquitous in the high rococo. 

Mallett’s receipt of sale indicates the armchair came from the Drawing Room at Harewood House, forming part of Thomas Chippendale's greatest and most valuable commission for Sir Edwin Lascelles. Bar the missing foliate apron, the present lot is extremely similar in form to a set of four armchairs made for the Couch Room at Harewood House  (op. cit. Vol II, p. 108, fig 182), which were sold Christie's, London, The Property of the Right Honourable the Earl of Harewood , 1^st July 1965, lot 55 and are described in the 1795 inventory of Harewood House as a set of ‘4 Chairs in burnished gold covered with crimson Damask with Crimson Serge loose covers’. The present lot is likely to have had a decorative apron at one point in its life, complimenting the foliate elements of the cabriole legs, which is evidenced by pin marks to the underside of the front seat rail.

Bar the small differences to the swag on the ears of the cabriole legs, the present lot is identical in form to the model Christopher Gilbert’s uses to tantalisingly illustrate the numerous un-provenanced pieces which conform in design and quality to Chippendale’s output (op. cit. Vol II, p. 108, fig 183).

A very similar pair is published in Lanto Synge, Great English Furniture, 1991, p.101.