A pair of Louis XVI carved giltwood side chairs attributed to Georges Jacob, circa 1786

each with ribbon-tied cresting above a padded back and seat, with interlaced ribbon-twist moulded frames, on fluted tapering legs; one stamped 'PLS DES TUILES', the other with three fleur-de-lis below a crown and TH, both with copper inventory labels 1209 

Palais des Tuileries;  The Edward James Collection, West Dean Park, Sussex; 

until sold Christie's, 2-6 June 1986, lot 83;

Christie's London, 15 June 1995, lot 46.

Related Literature: D. Kisluk-Grosheide, J. Munger, The Wrightsman Galleries for French Decorative Arts, New York, 2010, pp. 106-7;

F. B. J. Watson, The Wrightsman Collection, New York, 1966, vol. I, pp. 50-51, 60-61.

In fair restored condition. Re-gilt. Losses to gilding. Very minor loss to crest carving to one example. There is a repair to the corner back of the same chair and repaired breaks to the back legs. The other chair with a repaired break to the front leg. Front legs of both examples have been re-enforced with blocks. Probably original upholstery, which is in poor condition with repairs and colour fading - the ribbon chasing to the edges is later.
"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."

It is possible that these chairs were originally part of a group delivered by Jacob for the boudoir of Queen Marie-Antoinette at the Tuileries in February 1784, but it cannot be excluded that they formed instead part of the 1786 delivery by the same Jacob for the Château de Fontainebleau.  Indeed, similarities in the carving can be appreciated on a fire screen by Georges Jacob for the queen's boudoir at Fontainebleau and now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (inv. no. 1971.206.16), most notably in the ribbon-tied cresting and twisted ribbon upper frame (see Kisluk-Grosheide, J. Munger, op. cit., p. 107), although the specific design of the boudoir's suite differs from that of the present chairs.  

The same inventory number 1209 is on an Empire chaise longue by Jacob Frères also in the Metropolitan Museum (inv. no. 1971.206.13; see Watson, op. cit., cat. 45, pp. 60-61), suggesting that both pieces were at one point in the same room at the Palais des Tuileries. The marque au feu found on this pair of chairs was employed at the Palais des Tuileries following the Restoration of the Bourbon monarchy. No inventory numbers or brand were used at the palace during the reign of Louis XVI.