possibly shop of Duncan Phyfe, 1790-1810, each with drapery, leaf, and fan quarter carved shield back, saddle seats, curved and incised legs, ash seat rails, one arm and five side, each upholstered in muslin and fitted with a loose cushion and removable gold fabric seat cover, armchair 39 x 24 x 20 in.

Note: The Israel Sack receipt attributes this rare set of chairs to Duncan Phyfe's earliest period, 1785-1800. This attribution is also discussed in The Magazine Antiques, December 1929, page 496. An identical chair is illustrated in the Girl Scout Loan exhibition catalog, No. 694.

Provenance: Descended in the Van Wyck family of Fishkill, New York; Israel Sack, Inc., New York, purchased 1987 (accompanied by receipt for $125,000); Property from an Important Charleston Collection

chairs survive in fine condition overall, typical bumps and wear at edges of legs, scattered tacking scars and distress, other minor surface flaws consistent with age and use; armchair with some cracks and repairs at joint of arms to arm supports, possible repairs at joints of arms to seat rails (plugged screws, possibly as made), one rear stile with spline attachment joint with arm, minor break and repair at joint with crest rail; one side chair with minor cracks and repairs at lower section of shield, later pin at one crest and stile joint