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Lot Essay
This rare bureau-cabinet, with its distinctive zig-zag patterns with bands of grape leaf on black and peonies on gold grounds, is exemplary of the lacquerware made in Canton for the export market between 1785 - 1820, closely following European designs (C. Crossman, The Decorative Arts of the China Trade, Woodbridge, 1991, pp. 264-266). This form of furniture, combining a mirrored-bookcase, bureau/dressing-cabinet and a chest-of-drawers on a stand, corresponds to 'Deskt and Bookcase' and 'Lady's Bookcase' patterns illustrated by Thomas Chippendale (d.1779) in his Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director, 1754-1762, pl. XXXIII, and in the Society of Upholsterer's Genteel Household Furniture in the Present Taste, circa 1765, pl. 11 and 54. The finial featuring a stone-bearing crane, emblematic of Vigilance, also appears in designs by Thomas Chippendale (Director, 1762, pl. L). According to Aristotle in the Historia Animalium, the crane stood on one foot with the other raised holding a stone in its claws. When the bird fell asleep the stone dropped and immediately reawakened it, so that it was ever watchful.
It would seem likely that the 9th Baronet, Sir Charles William Boughton-Rouse of Lawford, and 1st Baronet of Rouse Lench, acquired this bureau-cabinet following his marriage in 1782 to Catherine, the only daughter and heir of William Peace Hall, through whom he acquired Downton Hall.
A pair of bureau-cabinets with closely related surface decoration, was sold by Michael Tree, Esq., in these Rooms, 4 July 1996, lot 297 (£117,000). Two further related bureau-cabinets were sold by the Executors of the late Viscountess Ward of Witley, in these Rooms, 25 June 1981, lot 75, and from the collection of Mrs. Sybil B. Harrington, Christie's New York, 25 January 2000, lot 414 ($79,500).
It would seem likely that the 9th Baronet, Sir Charles William Boughton-Rouse of Lawford, and 1st Baronet of Rouse Lench, acquired this bureau-cabinet following his marriage in 1782 to Catherine, the only daughter and heir of William Peace Hall, through whom he acquired Downton Hall.
A pair of bureau-cabinets with closely related surface decoration, was sold by Michael Tree, Esq., in these Rooms, 4 July 1996, lot 297 (£117,000). Two further related bureau-cabinets were sold by the Executors of the late Viscountess Ward of Witley, in these Rooms, 25 June 1981, lot 75, and from the collection of Mrs. Sybil B. Harrington, Christie's New York, 25 January 2000, lot 414 ($79,500).