A SET OF EIGHTEEN GEORGE III MAHOGANY DINING CHAIRS, CIRCA 1775, ATTRIBUTED TO GILLOWS AFTER A DESIGN BY JAMES WYATT |

comprising of two armchairs and sixteen side chairs, the interlaced backs with leafy top rails and oval paterae and plumes, the stuffed seats covered in later close-nail red leather, the fluted rails on fluted turned tapering front legs with water leaf incised capitals and patera carved headers

An impressive and large run of 'Wyatt pattern' dining chairs in overall reasonable conserved condition. Overall: Mahogany chairs with oak rails with corner batons and all re-glued with modern PVA adhesive. All chairs have later upholstery. Shrinkage splits and later repairs to all lower tapering sections on splats of all chairs. Scuffs and losses observed to mahogany fluted seat rails around rosettes. Mouldings on bottom edge of fluted seat rails are worn on all chairs. Witness marks observed where astrical moulding was originally extended to the side of back legs. Scuffs and wear to all front feet. All chairs have a later shellac surface on backs which contains an analine-based dye. This dye is non-colour fast and has faded to a green/black colour. Individual chairs (listed as per the accession number when loaned to Kedleston Hall and affixed to undeside): - Chair 107908.1 There is a replacement plume to Prince of Wales feather at cresting rail (lower proper left). Central moulding above the shoe is repaired. - Chair 107908.2 Losses noted to oak upholstery seat rails. - Chair 107908.3 Later gluing of oak bracings to seat rail. - Chair 107908.4 Splits to oak seat rails. The shoe has a replacement bead moulding. - Chair 107908.5 The oak seat rails have splits and losses with later screws in seat rail bracings. - Chair 107908.6 The bead moulding in top half of shoe is missing. - Chair 107908.7 There is a replacement plume on Prince of Wales feather at cresting rail (bottom proper left). Large split to oak seat rail. - Chair 107908.8 Missing plum on Prince of Wales feather (top proper right). Replacement plums observed on bottom left and right. - Chair 107908.9 The astrical moulding on the front seat rail is replaced. Sections of rosette are missing on front seat rail (proper right). Break to cresting rail due to shrinkage. - Chair 107908.10 The astrical moulding on the front seat rail is missing. Losses to shoe. - Chair 107908.11 Losses to shoe. - Chair 107908.12 There is a large split in the cresting rail. Splits in oak seat rails. - Chair 107908.13 The bead moulding on the shoe has been re-glued. - Chair 107908.14 There are repairs to the fluted seat rail (proper right). The arms have been re-glued and re-secured with later screws. The bottom plume of Prince of Wales feather is replaced (proper left). The front astrical on seat rail is loose. - Chair 107908.15 No additional damage. - Chair 107908.16 There are losses to rosette on seat rail (front proper right). - Chair 107908.17 Bottom plume Prince of Wales feather at cresting rail is replaced (proper left). - Chair 107908.18 There is damage to lower Prince of Wales feather above shoe, 2 plumes replaced (lower and upper proper left). Also replacements to bead moulding on shoe.
"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."