Lot Essay
The mount in the center of the frieze panel is very closely related to a mount that was used by Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy (d.1854) on clock cases, inkstands and, on at least one occasion, on a piece of furniture. It is very hard to be certain of the origin of the Vulliamy mount as the firm is known to have simultaneously commissioned mounts from suppliers in France and London (G. de Bellaigue, 'The Vulliamys and France', Furniture History, 1967, pp. 45-53). A closely related mount, derived from Charles Heathcote Tatham's engraving of the Aldobrandini Relief in his Etchings Representing the Best Examples of Ancient Ornamental Architecture, 1799 appears on both comtemporary English and French pieces, however the flanking figural mounts on this cabinet relate more closely to French designs.
A superb side cabinet heavily mounted with both types of mounts referred to above, is thought to have been executed under the direction of Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy. This cabinet was sold from the collection of Mr. Edward Sarofim, Christie's London, 16 November 1995, lot 110. The Sarofim cabinet also resembles the present pedestal in the use of very carefully contrasted mahogany veneers to create a sculptural surface effect.
A superb side cabinet heavily mounted with both types of mounts referred to above, is thought to have been executed under the direction of Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy. This cabinet was sold from the collection of Mr. Edward Sarofim, Christie's London, 16 November 1995, lot 110. The Sarofim cabinet also resembles the present pedestal in the use of very carefully contrasted mahogany veneers to create a sculptural surface effect.