A PAIR OF GEORGE II CARVED MAHOGANY OPEN ARMCHAIRS, CIRCA 1755
A PAIR OF GEORGE II CARVED MAHOGANY OPEN ARMCHAIRS, CIRCA 1755
with stuffed seats in contemporary gros and petit point needlework, on leaf carved cabriole front legs and outswept rear legs with brass and leather castors, together with 19th century fitted linen seat covers
Condition Report:
Introductory General Comments:
This suite of seat furniture has almost certainly been at Spetchley since it was made, it has been used and played a part in a busy household and this wear shows, as to be expected, and is commensurate with age and use. There are obviously old marks and scratches and some minor chipping to carved detail and some chair arms are a little loose. There are some colour variations, again as to be expected, from light. There is evidence of old worm to inside seat rails under each seat – which is no longer active and these rails are stable. More notable condition comments are specified below. Any historic repairs appear to have been done in an ‘estate’ workshop over the centuries.
Sizes:
Generally with subtle/small variations the armchair sizes are as follows:
Overall - 98cm. High, 74cm. wide, 69cm. deep (taken at widest point)
Height of seat from floor. 41cm High.
Embroidered seat area (front to back) 55cm. by 67cm
Linen covers with foxing.
Chair 1 (right side of catalogue photo):
Some rubbing to polished surface. Replaced section to top of pierced splat (approx 15cm, by 17cm.) It has been well mended. There is a loss of polish to the reverse of this area. Minor chips to top edge moulding to crest rail to actual left. Slight looseness to left arm. Small shrinkage crack to base of splat above shoe and with applied canvas strip beneath shoe as part of upholstery. Small area of filler to rear of top rail. Later reinforcement to actual left rail and evidence of old worm activity to these interior seat rails, apparently no longer active. Small scroll to actual left side bracket replaced, metal angle brace to interior of this leg.
Chair 2 (left side of catalogue photo)
Better colour. Nailed pad to reverse of top rail. Very dry surface due to sun on reverse. Repaired crack to base of actual left style and repair to back leg at top of same side. Old 1cm. chip to outside of right arm scroll. later oak supports inside of rear rail. Side rails replaced in oak.
Embroiderey:
Faded colour overall, with areas of foundation textile support exposed, and lacking in small areas of some. Covers likely to have been removed and replaced at some point. Areas of repair, and areas around back legs with cuts and joins to fit, and fold over the stretcher in some. The area above the seat-rail has different levels of repair, distress, which is commensurate with being on front edge of the seat. The centre of the seats have more distress than other areas, especially the ground canvas around the central flower motif. Different areas of mustard ground now extant. They are particularly dirty, with some additional surface marks, and discoloured and are in need professional attention.
There is a very large hole, revealing the stuffing, in centre of seat of one, with poor repair (8cm long approx . The other cover has two smaller holes, centre and lower right corner, with canvas showing. Both with surface dark marks in places. Section of the needlework folds over the stretcher
"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."
Provenance:
Probably acquired by Robert Berkeley (1713-1804)
View it on
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
A PAIR OF GEORGE II CARVED MAHOGANY OPEN ARMCHAIRS, CIRCA 1755
with stuffed seats in contemporary gros and petit point needlework, on leaf carved cabriole front legs and outswept rear legs with brass and leather castors, together with 19th century fitted linen seat covers
Condition Report:
Introductory General Comments:
This suite of seat furniture has almost certainly been at Spetchley since it was made, it has been used and played a part in a busy household and this wear shows, as to be expected, and is commensurate with age and use. There are obviously old marks and scratches and some minor chipping to carved detail and some chair arms are a little loose. There are some colour variations, again as to be expected, from light. There is evidence of old worm to inside seat rails under each seat – which is no longer active and these rails are stable. More notable condition comments are specified below. Any historic repairs appear to have been done in an ‘estate’ workshop over the centuries.
Sizes:
Generally with subtle/small variations the armchair sizes are as follows:
Overall - 98cm. High, 74cm. wide, 69cm. deep (taken at widest point)
Height of seat from floor. 41cm High.
Embroidered seat area (front to back) 55cm. by 67cm
Linen covers with foxing.
Chair 1 (right side of catalogue photo):
Some rubbing to polished surface. Replaced section to top of pierced splat (approx 15cm, by 17cm.) It has been well mended. There is a loss of polish to the reverse of this area. Minor chips to top edge moulding to crest rail to actual left. Slight looseness to left arm. Small shrinkage crack to base of splat above shoe and with applied canvas strip beneath shoe as part of upholstery. Small area of filler to rear of top rail. Later reinforcement to actual left rail and evidence of old worm activity to these interior seat rails, apparently no longer active. Small scroll to actual left side bracket replaced, metal angle brace to interior of this leg.
Chair 2 (left side of catalogue photo)
Better colour. Nailed pad to reverse of top rail. Very dry surface due to sun on reverse. Repaired crack to base of actual left style and repair to back leg at top of same side. Old 1cm. chip to outside of right arm scroll. later oak supports inside of rear rail. Side rails replaced in oak.
Embroiderey:
Faded colour overall, with areas of foundation textile support exposed, and lacking in small areas of some. Covers likely to have been removed and replaced at some point. Areas of repair, and areas around back legs with cuts and joins to fit, and fold over the stretcher in some. The area above the seat-rail has different levels of repair, distress, which is commensurate with being on front edge of the seat. The centre of the seats have more distress than other areas, especially the ground canvas around the central flower motif. Different areas of mustard ground now extant. They are particularly dirty, with some additional surface marks, and discoloured and are in need professional attention.
There is a very large hole, revealing the stuffing, in centre of seat of one, with poor repair (8cm long approx . The other cover has two smaller holes, centre and lower right corner, with canvas showing. Both with surface dark marks in places. Section of the needlework folds over the stretcher
"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."
Provenance:
Probably acquired by Robert Berkeley (1713-1804)
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
