Veneered and Carved Walnut Dining Chairs probably early 18th century, each with finely figured veneers, balloon slip seats with blue damask upholstery, cabriole legs, shell-carved front knees, 39 in.. Notes: The Malcolm Franklin invoice indicates that "in our opinion these are one of the finest sets of walnut chairs of this period. They have cabriole legs ending in pad feet, with carved knees, balloon seats and fiddle backs. Superior workmanship and excellent figure and patination. VERY RARE".. Provenance: Malcolm Franklin, Chicago, 1967 (copy of receipt accompanies lot, purchase price $12,000); Private Collection, Wilson, North Carolina good restored condition overall with scattered veneer patches and repairs, some pest damage, minor patches and repairs at some toes, some later seat frame blocking, break and repair to one rear stile with small associated veneer loss (plugged screw repairs at bases of stiles), later color to secondary surfaces makes definitive dating difficult