CIRCA 1710 AND LATER

With its broken pediment cresting, arched doors, interior configuration of drawers and rectilinear lower section, this cabinet most closely relates to an example attributed to John Belchier formerly in the collection of the Duke of Windsor from the Estate of Wendell Cherry, sold in these Rooms, 12 October 1996, lot 277. Belchier (d. 1753), cabinet-maker at 'The Sun' in St. Paul's Churchyard, London, is first recorded working in 1717. A few examples from his workshop are labelled and significantly, all of his known labelled pieces are bureau-cabinets, all with mirror-inset doors and veneered in walnut or japanned in red with gilt enrichments (see G. Beard and C. Gilbert, eds., The Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840, 1986, p. 59-60). Another closely related example with similar decoration and overall form was sold from the Estate of R. Thornton Wilson, in these Rooms, 21 October 1999, lot 306 ($310,500).