A pair of Regency carved mahogany side chairs, circa 1810, after a design by Thomas Sheraton, possibly by Marsh and Tatham

each with reeded frame and a curved tablet top-rail flanked by lion-masks, above a pierced curved splat with lion-mask base on a splayed-fluted support, the padded seat on reeded rails above front carved lion monopodiae legs on paw feet and naturalistic animal back legs

Possibly supplied as part of a large set to Charles Chetwynd-Talbot, 2nd Earl Talbot of Hensol (1777-1849), Ingestre Hall, Staffordshire

An elegant pair, overall, in very good conserved condition. The original leather with atmospheric discolouration and wear commensurate with age and use. Some movement along the lines of construction, as to be expected. One chair has been reblocked to the underside. One paw foot to one chair has been restored and is structurally sound with characteristic wear, scuffs and scratches to the feet.
"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 pair of chairs, with its sophisticated design, are possibly from a famous suite of seat furniture designed for the dining room at Ingestre Hall in Staffordshire. From 1808, Charles, the 2nd Earl Talbot of Hensol (1777-1849) began a programme of improvement to his family seat and commissioned the great Regency architect John Nash (1752-1835) to design changes for both the exterior and the interior at the old Hall.

The design of the chair is very much in line with the antique manner popularised by the architect Charles Heathcote Tatham (1772-1842) whose Etchings of Grecian and Roman Architectural Ornament, 1806 was used as source of inspiration for cabinet-makers, such as his brother Thomas and partner William Marsh.  The partnership’s pursuit of a pure form of neo-classicism referencing the antique was famous and exhibited notably in commissions for George IV for whom Nash also contemporaneously worked.

A design related to the present lot was published by Thomas Sheraton in 1805 in his seminal Cabinet Encyclopedia, pl. L.1. with similar back and legs but presenting a concave seat.

A set of 12 chairs (two armchairs and 10 side chairs) of the above mentioned Talbot suite was sold by descendants of the 2^nd Earl with Christie’s London, 29^th March 1984, lot 72, and subsequently in the same rooms in 7 July 1994, lot 50 (£463,500).