A pair of George III grey painted and parcel-gilt armchairs circa 1770

attributed to Thomas Chippendale, with cartouche backs and later sprung seats, on cabriole legs

These chairs are in `Country House' condition Both have losses to gilt and painted decoration throughout. This decoration has been touched up over the years. One chair has a chip to the top right hand leg on the rail- both have chips to carving throughout. Upholstery worn and faded and will need to be replaced.
"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."

The present chairs have stylistic affinities with other examples from the workshop of Thomas Chippendale which include a set of eight chairs supplied for the library at Harewood House, Yorkshire, illustrated in Christopher Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1978, 2 vols., Vol II, pl. 197. The carved detail on the back, legs and front-rail can also be compared closely with an armchair supplied by Chippendale for the Long Drawing Room at 19 Arlington Street, London, illus Christopher Gilbert, op.cit.,pl. 177. 

The front-rails of the chairs also relates to the form of the front rail and legs of a pair of window seats, attributed to Thomas Chippendale which were almost certainly supplied to Sir Robert Burdett, 4th Bt. ( 1716-1797) of Foremark Hall, Derbyshire, sold Sotheby`s, New York, 1996, lot 276. For a further comparison another pair of window seats with close stylistic affinities, almost certainly supplied by Chippendale for Harewood House is illustrated in Chiristopher Claxton Stevens and Stewart Whittington, Eighteenth Century Furniture, The Norman Adams Collection, 1983, p.63.

The chairs follow Chippendale`s drawings for `French Chairs'  published in his The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker `s Director, London, 3rd Edition, 1762, pl. XIX-XX.