Fine Set of Five George II Carved Mahogany Side Chairs

possibly Irish, circa 1740, mahogany veneer, oak secondary, elevated crest rail in convex form with crisp upper edge flanked by curved pointed hooks, shaped rounded stiles forming a continuous developed line to the down-swept rear foot, conforming vasiform shaped back splat featuring six pierced upper elements above relief carved bird heads, acanthus leaf and side scrolls, set within a carved shoe with gadrooned edge, balloon form slip seat featuring original antique needlework seat covers worked in tent stitch with figures in pastoral scenes, molded seat rail, vertically veneered skirt, applied central shell, cabriole front legs featuring relief carved lion's mask above a naturalistic carved ankle terminating in robust ball and claw feet with pierced knuckles and talons.
41 x 22.5 x 19.5 in., seat height 17.5 in.
Sir Henry Sutcliffe Smith, Ingerthorpe Hall, Rippon, Yorkshire, and thence by descent.
Sotheby's, London, July 3, 2003, Important English Furniture, Lot 30.
Private Collection, Greensboro, North Carolina
Additional high-resolution photos are available at www.lelandlittle.com

All with old original needlework seats; some later corner glue block braces.



Chair 1: good age appropriate condition.



Chair 2: some finish loss at crest rail; shrinkage cracks and separation at seat rail near front left leg.



Chair 3: two talons appear later.



Chair 4: missing one talon to front left leg; sun fading to the right edge of seat frame.



Chair 5: good age appropriate condition.