A SET OF TWELVE GEORGE III ARMCHAIRS 

A rare and important set of twelve late 18th century Hepplewhite period carved mahogany armchairs. The moulded oval back with pearl carving having three slats with oval sunflower paterae. The outswept moulded arms with scroll ends and acanthus leaf decoration on downswept supports. The serpentine shaped seat with fluted frieze upholstered in yellow silk damask; on four channelled tapering legs terminating in spade feet.

Literature:
R. Edwards, ‘The Dictionary of English Furniture Vol I’, London, 1954, pp.291, a similar chair.
L. Hinckley, ‘Hepplewhite – Sheraton and Regency Furniture’, New York, 1987, p.58, a similar chair.
S.E. Stuart, ‘Gillows of Lancaster and London 1730-1840 Vol I’, London, 2008, p.272-274

Illustrated:
C. Gilbert, ‘Furniture at Temple Newsam House and Lotherton Hall’, London, 1978, Vol. I, pp. 93, an identical chair

A SET OF TWELVE GEORGE III MAHOGANY ARMCHAIRS (F3A0060) Overall this set of 12 chairs show all the same characteristics of condition synonymous with their age. Where one would expect some breaks to have occurred, for example the joints of arm rests to supports, these are evident and have been repaired at some time. The colour is good and the carving still crisp due to the quality of the mahogany used throughout, however they all appear to have dents and scratches showing usage of over 200 + years. Of note is the condition of all the seat rails, which is very good – they show little reupholstering, perhaps twice – and interestingly all have 4 neat screw holes that show they were transported in the historic way to the house they were first supplied for, supported upside down in packing crates. Overall they are in excellent and uniform condition. Condition Report for Individual Chairs: 11 May 2012 - Ely House, 37 Dover Street. RHC Ground floor red room: 1. Minor abrasions and dents. Left back rest repaired. Glue blocks replaced. Good overall condition. Touching up to match original finish. 2. Minor abrasions all over. Left hand back rest, small repairs matched in. Glue blocks replaced. Good overall condition. 3. Minor abrasions and dents. Small repair to seat rail inside. Otherwise good overall condition. 4. Repairs to both arm rests, colour matched in. Abrasions and dents synonymous with age. Splice repair to left hand front leg. 5. Repaired left hand arm support. Scratches and abrasions coloured in. Dents to both front legs otherwise good overall condition. Hall way: 6. Repaired brakes to both front arm supports. Small replaced timber coloured in on left hand join to back support. Otherwise in good overall condition. 7. Repaired section at bottom middle back rest, coloured in. Small dents and abrasions. Good overall condition. 8. Minor dents and abrasions. Repair to right hand arm supports. Replaced glue blocks. Otherwise good overall condition. Stair well: 9. Repaired support to arm. Broken left hand back rest repaired and coloured out. In good overall condition. Splice repair to front foot. 10. Dents and scratches, otherwise in good overall condition. 11. Repaired front armrest supports. Dents and abrasions synonymous with age. Small repair to back foot. 12. Good overall condition. Replaced glue blocks.

CONDITION REPORT ON REQUEST.