with bear, pine tree, arrow and rifle motifs

Commissioned by Harold Del Monte for Noble Hotel, Lander, Wyoming, circa 1945
Fighting Bear Antiques, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Private Collection

These vibrant chairs are in overall in very good, age appropriate condition. The wood surfaces with scattered scuffs, scratches, nicks, dents, abrasions, instances of paint residue, and some areas of rubbing and discoloration, consistent with age and use. There are natural knots, irregularities, and separations in the wood grain, typical for Inland fir, which have been reinforced with wood infill in areas by the artist at the time of production. The rear upper edges of each back support with areas of slightly more pronounced abrasions, the largest to the chair with the bear motif, measuring approximately ½ x 2 in. The front two feet of each chair with more prominent areas of abrasions and fading concentrated to the front edges, the largest area located to the front proper left foot of the chair with the bear motif, measuring approximately 2 ½ x 2 ½ in. The motifs overall with some minor fading and losses to the paint. The leather is original; its surfaces with scattered surface scratches, nicks, dents, abrasions, and instances of rubbing and discoloration, the latter concentrated to the top front edges of the seats, all consistent with age and use. The brass tacks with some minor surface scratches and areas of rubbing, not visually distracting and consistent with age and gentle use. The chair with the bird motif with a loss to the top of the proper right upper pole measuring approximately 1 ½ x 3/8 x 5/8 in.; the same pole with some lifting to the wood, the separation measuring approximately 1 1/8 x ½ in. The proper left upper support with a loss to the infill measuring approximately 2 ¼ x 1/8 x 3/8 in. The rear proper left leg with a loss to the infill measuring approximately 6 1/8 x ¼ x ½ in. The leather with some instances of deeper scratches, some concentrated to the center of the seat in an area measuring approximately 5 ¾ x 4 ¼ in. The leather also with a tear towards the front of the seat measuring approximately 3/8 in. long. The rear of the seatback with two isolated tears to the leather, the larger measuring approximately ¾ in. long. The chair with the bear motif with losses to the infill to the front proper left and right legs and the rear proper left leg, measuring approximately 6 x 1/8 in., 14 ½ x 1/8 in., and 12 5/8 x 1/8 in., respectively, consistent with age and the shrinkage or opening of the grain over time. The front seat rail with more pronounced abrasions along the top edge, as well as two losses to the proper left edge adjacent to the screw holes, the larger measuring approximately 5/8 x ¼ in. The leather to the seatback with some spiraling craquelure, stable. The leather to the seat with some scattered deeper scratches, the most significant located to the front seat edge measuring approximately 1 ¼ in., with a small tear to the leather exposing the linen backing underneath, the tear measuring approximately 1/8 x 1/8 in. The upper edge of the routed bear motif with an area of minor marking (visible in the catalogue illustration). A nice pairing, the original leather of each retains a vibrancy and suppleness rarely found in works of this age.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.