English Chinese Chippendale Carved Mahogany Triple Back Settee

circa 1770, oak and beech secondary, each triple back features a relief carved stylized pagoda with drop bells to each side above a pierced and carved splat, stiles with acanthus carving, carved and molded shoe, shaped arm with carved scrolled terminus, scrolled/shaped/carved arm support, red silk damask over-upholstered deep seat, each seat with slight serpentine to front skirt rail, raised on eight legs, the front four pierced and relief carved with applied pierced knee returns, complete stretcher base, the front/side/center stretcher pierced, down-swept rear legs, on casters.
39.75 x 73.5 x 26.5 in., seat height 17.5 in., seat depth 23 in.
Sotheby's, London, Important English Furniture, July 5, 1996, Lot 60.
Private Collection, Greensboro, North Carolina
Additional high-resolution photos are available at www.lelandlittle.com

Later upholstery in good condition; insect damage to underside secondary wood frame (but appears stable); front left stile has a splice below arm connection; splice between left and center backs at the center crest where the two stiles join; splice to all three ball finials, splices are old and the carving is by the same hand, hence possibly original; cut/patch to underside frame near front center right leg and with later brace block; stretcher base (while old and hand dovetailed), possibly later.