CIRCA 1770

The use of S-pattern keyholes is seen on work by leading cabinet-makers including Thomas Chippendale. In his 1768 account to Lady Shelburne, Chippendale mentioned that a commode table had 'very good spring and tumbler locks and S-bitted keys' (C. Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, vol. I, p. 253, and vol. II, p. 147, fig. 267). This keyhole pattern has very occasionally been recorded on furniture attributed to Chippendale's competitor John Cobb, for example on the commode sold anonymously, Christie's, New York, 19 April 2001, lot 148. However, nearly all occurrences are on furniture attributed to Chippendale. Similar gently splayed legs are seen on commodes supplied by Chippendale c. 1770, including a pair for Daniel Lascelles at Goldsborough Hall, Yorkshire, now at Harewood House, Leeds and 'a very large Mahogany Commode £7.17.6' supplied in April 1770 to Sir Rowland Winn for Nostell Priory, Wakefield, Yorkshire (ibid., p. 127, figs. 226-227).