The mixed-owner auction on July 5 is one of the events marking the 300th anniversary of Chippendale’s birth this year.
“The Chippendale market seems to be relatively robust,” said Copley. He pointed out that the pair of ‘Dundas sofas’ offered at the current sale had previously sold at Christie’s in July 1997 for just over £1.5m for the pair, while a single sofa from same suite made £2.1m in 2008.
This time round the pair will be offered separately, each with a £2m-3m estimate.
The sale will also offer a mahogany and Indian ebony commode that Chippendale made for Sir Rowland Winn between 1766-69.
It previously sold from the Messer Collection at Christie’s in 1991 for £935,000, a then-record for a piece of Chippendale furniture. This time it is estimated at £3m-5m.