A stately set of 8 English George II dining chairs, circa 1740, consisting of 7 side chairs and one carver’s chair. Crafted of mahogany with vasiform back splats clad in fine flame mahogany veneers, these chairs are indicative of the stylistic transition from Queen Anne to Georgian. Shaped backs of a classic silhouette feature a boldly carved convex shell motif at the crest rail, while cabriole legs with acanthus-carved knees terminate in hairy paw feet. Restored in recent years, each chair is solid and its finish lustrous; highlighting the rich mahogany and hand-carved detail. Secondary wood: Oak Carver’s chair width: 25.5” Provenance: From the collection of Georgia philanthropist James Nicol; previously acquired through Wakefield-Scearce Gallery of Shelbyville, Kentucky.