A GEORGE III MAHOGANY BUREAU-CABINET

CIRCA 1760, THE BROKEN PEDIMENT LATER

Details

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY BUREAU-CABINET
Circa 1760, the broken pediment later
The later broken pediment with central plinth and overhanging concave and Greek-key molded cornice above a blind fretwork frieze, the cut-corner panelled doors enclosing an interior fitted for shelves, the lower section with a slant front enclosing a central door flanked by pigeonholes and drawers, above four graduated drawers with molded surrounds, on bracket feet, the rocaille brass pulls replaced
96½in. (245cm.) high, 43¼in. (110cm.) wide, 22¾in. (58cm.) deep

Provenance

The Bingham Family, Kent, England (purchased by James Williams, 1965). Acquired by the mother of the present owner from James Williams, Savannah, Georgia.

Lot Essay

The fantastical 'japanned' decoration on this piece, partially conceived in low relief, reflects the fashion for Chinese ornament inspired by imported lacquer screens and chests and promoted by Messrs. Stalker and Parker in A Treatise of Japanning and Varnishing of 1688. Elements of the decoration, including the large-scale fan-bearing figures to the sides of the base, and the cell-pattern reserves surrounding the arched doors, appear on a bureau-cabinet supplied by the cabinet-maker John Belchier for Erddig Castle, Wales in the early 1720s (see M. Drury, 'Early Eighteenth-Century Furniture at Erddig', Apollo, July 1978, pp.52-53, pl.11). Another cabinet-on-chest of this form with cell-pattern reserves and continuous scenes to the doors is illustrated in P. Macquoid, The Age of Walnut, London, 1905, col.plate opposite p.152.

This cabinet was purchased by the present owner's mother from the antique dealer James Williams of Savannah, Georgia, now renowned for his portrayal in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

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