Lovely quality with attractive carved details. The piece may have been conceived entirely gilt as there is evidence bole and water gilding below the current painted surface. This surface shows signs of various treatments in the long history of this item. There are areas of re-touching and exposed beech to the frame, there is also some typical losses to carved and gesso detail. On the whole the surface does seem to have some age. There has been remedial work to the structure, evidenced through metal pins to the rear lower frieze above the legs and apparently later metal batons to the interior of the seat. However the seat frame is covered and therefore not fully inspected. The later upholstery has staining and there are old surface marks, photographs can be requested from the department.
"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."

Designed in the Louis XVI manner, with moulded and beaded rails ornamented with applied flowerheads and palm fronds, this fine sofa relates to work supplied by the London cabinetmaker François Hervé (1781-1796). Presumably a French émigré, he described himself as a ‘cabriole chairmaker’ and his documented work is described as ‘a light, elegant and adroit mixture of English and French detail’ (Beard and Gilbert, Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840, Leeds 1986, pp. 423-424). His career is somewhat obscure, the London directories recording his address at 32 John Street, Tottenham Court Road, where earlier he was in partnership with John Meschain. He had a number of fashionable and influential patrons including the Prince of Wales, the Earl Spencer and the Duke of Devonshire, for whom he supplied several suites of seat furniture which still remain at Chatsworth. For a noteworthy comparison, see a pair of bergères and suite of seat furniture by Hervé which was supplied in 1791 by Holland and Daguerre to George, 2nd Earl Spencer (1758-1834) for Lavinia, Countness Spencer's dressing room at Althorp. This suite, like the offered sofa, has a similarly enclosed back and sides and features rosettes to each corner of the top-rail, beading throughout, finely carved baluster arm supports and fluted tapering legs. These bergères were sold, 'The Spencer House Sale', Christie's London, 8 July 2010, lot 1051.

For another suite which shares many of the decorative flourishes seen in the present lot, see a commission, possibly from Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire (1757-1806) from 1783 for the State Bedroom at Chatsworth, this group is arguably Hervé's most flamboyant work. The seat furniture he produced features an almost identical conjoined scrolled cresting centering each seat rail. See Ivan Hall, 'A neo-classical episode at Chatsworth', The Burlington Magazine, vol. 122, June 1980, pp. 400-414, figs. 43-47.