CIRCA 1770

This elegant cabinet with its finely carved details and choice timbers would have been made by one of London's pre-eminent cabinet-makers. The fluted frieze interspersed by roundels and the crisply-carved paterae medallions were favored motifs of the celebrated Golden Square partnership of John Mayhew and William Ince. Tables and hall chairs supplied to the 2nd Viscount Palmerston at Broadlands, Hampshire exhibit these same carved details (see H.Roberts, 'Furniture at Broadlands, Hampshire', Country Life, 29 January 1981, p.289, figs.5 and 6). Similar friezes also feature on a small group of secretaire breakfront-bookcases attributed to the firm, including one sold in these Rooms, 19 April 2001, lot 179; and another from the collection of H.J. Joel, Esq., Childwick Bury, Hertfordshire, sold Christie's house sale, 15 May 1978, lot 104. The boldly drawn quarter-fans relate to those similarly executed in marquetry such as feature on a commode illustrated in L.Wood, Catalogue of Commodes, London, 1994, no.25, pp.217-218.