A George III green and cream painted sofa, circa 1770, attributed to Mayhew and Ince, the shaped and padded back with beaded top rail, flanked by padded and downswept arms decorated with anthemion and bell flowers, the serpentine fronted padded seat with fluted seat rail, on turned tapering, fluted and spirally reeded legs, terminating in gadrooned feet and leather castors, the underside of the front rail stamped 'CLAREMONT', 108cm high, 181cm wide, 60cm deep Provenance: Property from a Distinguished Private Collection Possibly supplied to King George III (d.1820). By descent to or acquired by Queen Victoria (d.1901). Almost certainly moved to Claremont, Surrey, in a 19th Century refurnishing. H.R.H. Prince Leopold (d.1884), Duke of Albany, youngest son of Queen Victoria, who occupied Claremont from 1882. His wife H.R.H. Princess Helen (d.1922), Duchess of Albany, who lived at Claremont until 1922. Her daughter, H.R.H. Princess Alice (d.1981), Countess of Athlone. Thence by descent until sold Christie's, London, 3 July 1997, lot 48.The celebrated partnership between William Ince and John Mayhew ran from 1759 to 1803. The firm's clientele consisted of the nobility and gentry of the era. Numerous bills have been traced in well know country houses and many masterpieces from their workshop have been identified. Their volume of engraved designs, The Universal System of Household Furniture, was a rival to Chippendale's Diretor.