A fine pair of Italian rococo white and blue-painted armchairs. Venice, mid-18th century. Photo: Courtesy Sotheby's 

the cartouche-shaped backrest decorated with blue flowers and foliage, voluted wooden armrests on voluted supports, the padded back and seat à chassis above a serpentine seat rail and cabriole legs, painted in tones of blue highlighted in off-white. 111.7 cm; 73.7 cm; 78.7 cm. Estimate 50,000—80,000 USD

EXHIBITED: International Fine Art & Antique Dealers Show, October 19-25, 2007, New York

Winter Antiques Show, January 18-27, 2008

NOTE: A closely comparable pair of chairs is illustrated, S. Levy, Lacche Veneziane Settecentesche, Milan, 1999, pl. 28.

Sotheby's. The Foster-Gwin Collection. 24 Oct 08. New York - www.sothebys.com