Each with serpentine toprail, the padded back and seat covered in close-nailed light green mohair velvet, on square-lined Gothic fretwork chamfered legs, headed by pierced brackets and joined by stretchers, rerailing and replacements
38 in. (96.5 cm.) high; 23¹⁄₂ in. (59.5 cm.) wide; 25 in. (64 cm.) deep

Possibly supplied to Sir James Lowther, 1st Earl of Lonsdale (d. 1802) for Lowther Castle, Cumbria and by descent to;
The 6th Earl of Lonsdale, Lowther Castle, sold Maple & Co. and Thomas Wyatt house sale 10-11 June 1947, lot 7281.
Bought from Lenygon and Morant, London, in the 1940s for Brockencote Hall, Chaddesley Corbett, Worcestershire.
Anonymous sale; Christie's, London, 15 June 2000, lot 50;
where acquired.

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Lot Essay

These chairs, richly carved in the 'Chinese' fashion associated with Thomas Chippendale (d. 1779) may have been ordered for Lowther Castle, Cumbria by Sir James Lowther (d. 1802), who succeeded to the Lowther estates in 1750 and was created Earl of Lonsdale in 1784. In particular, the form and ornament of their stretcher-tied and richly fretted legs relate to a 'Chinese' pattern in Chippendale's The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director, 3rd ed. 1762, pl. XXVII. Chippendale is also likely to have supplied the case for Sir James Lowther's celebrated barograph clock (see C. Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1978, vol. II, figs. 35-37).
Messrs. Maple & Co. & Thomas Wyatt held the Lowther Castle sale in June 1947, lot 7281 'A set of 8 old mahogany chairs of Chippendale design, thee stuffed seats in various coverings'
The work of the celebrated partnership Lenygon & Morant, established first in New York and then in London's Burlington Street, was advertised by Francis Lenygon's Furniture in England 1660 - 1760, London 1914 and Decoration in England from 1640 - 1760, London 1914.

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Condition report

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The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.

In overall fairly good condition.
There are the inevitable marks, chips, scratches and restorations consistent with age and use.
Most chairs generally with some wear and losses to the carving, particularly to the edges of the legs.
The silk velvet fabric with some fading, marks and wear, consistent throughout creating an agreeable aged look.
More significant abrasion and wear to the mohair velvet at the top of the back, due to handling and use.
Later sprung when reupholstered in the 20th century.
As stated in the catalogue this set of chairs has been extensively been restored by Lenygons in the early 20th Century including rerailing and some replacements.
They present well and are ready to place.

Chair A; the front left side bracket is broken and the front left bracket is repaired. It has later blocks, the back legs and seat rails are later. Right front leg with loss to the right front edge, from top to bottom.
Chair B; is lacking the bracket on the left side of the front left leg, the other bracket with small losses. The corner mouldings on the front legs are lacking approx. 7 inches. The front left leg has a replaced bracket.
Chair C; small losses to brackets, chip to the moulding to the front right leg.
Chair D; has a repaired break to the back left leg, repaired break to the left-hand stretcher, replaced side brackets, and also to the front left bracket and a 6 inch piece of moulding from the front left leg, and a small repaired crack to the right stretcher. Front right leg with loss to the moulding by the foot.
Chair E; the front right leg has a crack at the join of the stretcher, there is a 1 inch piece of moulding missing at the foot, front brackets replaced, chip to the front left bracket, the right side bracket is replaced and chipped. The front left leg has a replaced side bracket and chips to the corner moulding. The back seat rail inscribed in pencil 'More'.
Chair F; chips and losses to the corner mouldings of the front legs. The left side bracket replaced and the other chipped. Approximately 6 inches. loss to the moulding of the front left leg.
Chair G; has been rerailed. The front right side bracket with losses, the left side bracket replaced.
Chair H; there is a loss from top to bottom to the front left leg corner moulding. More noticeable wear to the velvet to the front of the seat. This is the modern chair. This is a very good match and only discernable on very close inspection.

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