A set of twelve grained walnut parcel-gilt armchairs seven armchairs George II, circa 1740, five modern

in the manner of William Kent, with leaf-carved scroll arms, padded backs and seats, on cabriole legs, re-gilded, later grained, restorations

Almost certainly those sold previously Sotheby`s London, 18th March,1966, lot 122, designated `The Property of Lady Ursula Vernon'.

Lady Ursula Vernon (1903-1978)  was the daughter of Hugh Richard Arthur Grosvenor, 2nd Duke of Westminster, ( 1879-1953). Historically the principal seat of the Dukes of Westminster has been Eaton Hall, Cheshire. Several houses have occupied the site during different periods. One of the most notable was the house completed in 1881 by Hugh Lupus Grosvenor, 1st Duke of Westminster, (d.1899 ) designed by the architect Alfred Waterhouse. This house replaced an earlier house designed by William Porden for the grandfather of this duke and subsequently altered for his father by William Burn. This new Eaton Hall was built in high Gothic style on an enormous scale and included a clock tower 183 feet high and was one of the largest houses in England. It also contained Gothic interiors of extraordinary splendour to match.The interiors were photographed by Country Life, circa 1930 and the present chairs are apparently shown in situ in the Entrance Hall, (see illus). At this time and at the subsequent sale in 1966, the chairs were entirely gilded and covered with 19th century French Aubusson style tapestry.  

Unfortunately nothing is known of the provenance of the chairs beyond this. At the end of the 17th century, the Grosvenors, by then created Baronets had commissioned William Samwell as architect for a new house. Contemporary engravings of 1708 show Eaton Hall as being a substantial square house. It is possible that the chairs were originally comissioned for this house by subsequent family members, and had then passed by descent until the sale of 1966.

Six of these chairs are period, the seventh has been extensively restored with later rails. There is some old worm damage to all. Originally completely gilded, now stripped down stained and re-gilded. Upholstery stained and worn. One stripped down to its frame. Some replacements to spandrels.
"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."

William Kent was born in Yorkshire around 1685-6. From 1709 to 1719 he lived in Italy, studying to be a painter. It is however as an architect he is best known. Even in his student days, his interest  had been directed towards architecture and this had no doubt been stimulated by his meeting there with Lord Burlington in 1716. Three years later he returned to England with him and from then his name was to be inextricably linked with that of his patron. With Palladio as their God and Inigo Jones as their Prophet, they set about the trying to establish a change in English architecture. Kent was the first English architect to take an interest in the interior design of houses. One of his most notable early commissions was in 1722 to secure the interior commission at Kensington Palace, a project that was to last five years. These interiors which also included the furnishings was the first designed entirely by the architect. Other major commissions followed including Walpole`s Houghton Hall for which designs prepared by him for the saloon are believed to be the first surviving evidence for an architect presenting a design for an entire room. By 1730 he was one of the leading architects of the neo-Palladian movement. The present chairs reflect the influence Kent had on furniture design. The scroll and leaf-carved form of the arms is a detail seen in his designs, and recurs in many of his other designs in other forms often as the support for a table, for comparison see Peter Ward-Jackson, English Furniture Designs of the Eighteenth Century, London, 1984, pl.16-18.