A pair of George II carved mahogany and parcel-gilt library armchairs, mid-18th century, attributed to Paul Saundersthe shaped backs, seats and padded arms with close-nail striped and floral silk damask upholstery, the armrest terminating in reeded scroll supports with stop-fluted shaped uprights, on cabriole legs with scrolled acanthus ears and reeded stop-fluted legs and scrolled feet, on concealed brass castors 品相: In overall good restored condition, the gilding probably refreshed if not later and with losses throughout. Scrolled front foot to one with small loss, which would benefit from attention, one ear apparently re-glued, and with visible separation to joint, upholstery in good condition and of fine quality. With some chips and nibbles to the feet and with old marks and scratches throughout, as to be expected given the chairs` age and use. Seat rails not inspected."In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby`s is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."来源: Sotheby`s London, 16 July 1982, lot 102.来源3: This pair of armchairs can be attributed on stylistic grounds to the workshop of Paul Saunders (1722-71), an `upholder` and cabinet-maker of Soho, London. The form reflects the influence of ‘French’ designs for ‘elbow’ chairs in Thomas Chippendale`s The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker`s Director, 1754 (pls. XVIII-XIX). Indeed, Saunders was a subscriber to the Director, and was undoubtedly inspired by his designs.Although most of Saunders’ work is undocumented, he supplied a related set of ten ‘elbow’ armchairs to the 1st Earl of Leicester for Holkham Hall, Norfolk in 17571. The offered chairs are a variation of the Holkham model, dispensing with the furled acanthus detail to the armrest and foliate carved cabochon headed legs, instead opting for ‘antique’ fluting to the armrests and legs while retaining the distinctive scrolled feet. The Holkham suite and the present pair also share gilt heightening to the carved detail, although it is not clear whether this is a later surface.For a related pair supplied to 1st Marquess of Bath (1734-1796) for Longleat, Wiltshire, and also attributed to Saunders, see those sold Christie’s, Longleat, 13 June 2002, lot 338 (£68,000). A single chair, blending the designs of the Holkham suite and the present chairs, was sold Sotheby’s London, 31 October 2018, lot 331.1 A. Coleridge, Chippendale Furniture, London, 1968, p. 211, fig. 378.