拍品专文
This type of hinged-top desk with leather-lined interior and cartonnier with shelves and drawers, was entitled 'Lady's Cabinet and Writing Table' in Thomas Sheraton's Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Drawing Book, 1793 (pl.50) but was titled a 'sheveret' table in a design of 1790 included in the Estimate Sketch pattern-books of Messrs. Gillows of London and Lancaster (L. Boynton, Gillow Furniture Designs, Royston, 1995, no. 150). This pattern, with columnar supports, reed-bands and Egyptian-striated panels, combined with its veneer of black rosewood enriched with gilt-brass, epitomises the early 19th Century French/antique manner of John McLean of Marylebone, whose work was praised by Sheraton for its finish in 'the Neatest Manner'.
A closely related bonheur-du-jour, retaining the label 'Manufactured and sold by JOHN McLEAN and SON, 58, Upper Mary-le-bone-Street, The end of Howland Street, Portland-Place' is illustrated in S. Redburn, 'John McLean & Son', Furniture History Society Journal, 1978, pls. 39b. and 31c. It is interesting to note that McLean supplied furniture of closely related character to Edward, Viscount Lascelles (d. 1814) for Harewood House, Yorkshire (for instance the Carlton House desk illustrated in S. Redburn, op.cit., fig. 35B)
A closely related bonheur-du-jour, retaining the label 'Manufactured and sold by JOHN McLEAN and SON, 58, Upper Mary-le-bone-Street, The end of Howland Street, Portland-Place' is illustrated in S. Redburn, 'John McLean & Son', Furniture History Society Journal, 1978, pls. 39b. and 31c. It is interesting to note that McLean supplied furniture of closely related character to Edward, Viscount Lascelles (d. 1814) for Harewood House, Yorkshire (for instance the Carlton House desk illustrated in S. Redburn, op.cit., fig. 35B)