English, circa 1740s, in the matter of Giles Grendey, each of very large scale and robust form, elaborately carved with foliage, bellflowers, and eagles heads, with satyr mask carved front knees and hairy lion's paw feet, one marked "IIII" and the other marked "VI", 43-1/2 x 33-1/2 x 29 in.
Provenance: one chair with early label "The Seed Collection"; probably William Randolph Hearst; George F. Baker, New York; Walter P. Chrysler Jr., acquired from Frank Partridge, Inc., New York; The Walter P. Chrysler Jr. Collection of English Furniture, sold Park Bernet Galleries, New York, April 29-30, 1960, lot 127;
One of these chairs, or an identical example, is illustrated in R. W. Symonds article 'The Chair with the Shell Back' in Antique Collector (October 1956) p. 177-182 as one of a pair belonging to William Randolph Hearst.
For more on the design precedents and history of this important pair of chairs, see our website. The Jerold Krouse Collection
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one chair with early label "The Seed Collection"; probably William Randolph Hearst; George F. Baker, New York; Walter P. Chrysler Jr., acquired from Frank Partridge, Inc., New York; The Walter P. Chrysler Jr. Collection of English Furniture, sold Park Bernet Galleries, New York, April 29-30, 1960, lot 127;
One of these chairs, or an identical example, is illustrated in R. W. Symonds article 'The Chair with the Shell Back' in Antique Collector (October 1956) p. 177-182 as one of a pair belonging to William Randolph Hearst.
For more on the design precedents and history of this important pair of chairs, see our website. The Jerold Krouse Collection
The chairs have good integrity overall and considering their scale and carving the chairs survive in good condition, with scattered breaks and repairs (see detailed photos); <strong>chair IIII</strong> with some repairs, reinforcements and areas of retouch at arm connections including splice repair at one arm support and inset strip to rear stile at arm attachmentï¼› bumps to knees and feet, some areas of finish drip, typical minor retouch and repairs to back including minor breaks at splat, needlework upholstery with very minor wear and pickingï¼› <strong>chair VI</strong> with break and repair at one rear ankle, repairs and some color retouch at arm joints, area of repair at joint of one arm support to seat rail, break and repair at proper left rear stile at joint with arm, repaired cracks or breaks at front leg joints, other typical cracks and minor repairs with some color retouch, needlework upholstery generally good with light picking and wear Note - Brunk Auctions makes every effort to offer accurate and thorough information, but encourages prospective bidders to inspect items in person whenever possible. Condition statements are provided as a courtesy for general guidance and should not be considered complete or definitive. They do not represent a warranty or assumption of liability by Brunk Auctions. Certain condition issues may not be specifically noted in the report but may be visible in the accompanying photographs, which are considered part of the overall condition report. Please refer to our Terms of Sale for complete information and contact us for additional photos or information as needed.