.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
In its form and decoration, this cabinet most closely relates to an example attributed to John Belchier, formerly in the collection of the Duke of Windsor and sold in these Rooms from the Estate of Wendell Cherry, 12 October 1996, lot 277 ($717,500). The attribution was based on two cabinets supplied by John Belchier for Erddig Castle, Wales and described in 1732 as being 'in ye grandst manner and after ye newest fashion'. A 'Red Japan Cabinet' was listed in the 'Blew Mohair' bedroom in the 1726 inventory, which features similar arch-headed and mirrored doors and a cornice enriched with flowered-ribbon guilloche.
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 with gilt enrichments (see G. Beard and C. Gilbert, eds., Ihe Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840i 1986, p. 59-60). Another closely related example was sold from the Estate of R. Thornton Wilson, in these Rooms, 21 October 1999, lot 306 ($310,500).
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 with gilt enrichments (see G. Beard and C. Gilbert, eds., Ihe Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840i 1986, p. 59-60). Another closely related example was sold from the Estate of R. Thornton Wilson, in these Rooms, 21 October 1999, lot 306 ($310,500).