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Lot Essay
The side panels of this cabinet are veneered with an unusual timber called cocuswood, a hard, dense wood with a chocolate brown heart and a yellow sapwood. It was imported from the West Indies and was often known as West Indian ebony. It was used as a cabinet wood between 1660-1740 and in the late 17th Century was frequently used as an oyster-veneer. The kingwood veneers on this piece were known as princeswood up until 1740. In 1670, John Evelyn described princeswood as one of the 'natural' reds used by cabinet-makers and was the most expensive wood available in England in the late 17th Century. Timbers with a vivid red colour were particularly sought after (A. Bowett, 'Myths of English Furniture History: Laburnum Wood Furniture', Antique Collecting, June 1998, pp. 20-23).
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Tritton bought Godmersham Park in 1936, and not only rescued the house, but filled it with one of the finest post-war collections of English and French furniture in this country. The property at one time belonged to Jane Austen's brother, Edward Austen Knight, and there are letters written by her describing Godmersham and its beautiful park.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Tritton bought Godmersham Park in 1936, and not only rescued the house, but filled it with one of the finest post-war collections of English and French furniture in this country. The property at one time belonged to Jane Austen's brother, Edward Austen Knight, and there are letters written by her describing Godmersham and its beautiful park.