Prospective purchasers are advised that several co… Read more

A JAPANESE GILT-LACQUERED-BRASS MOUNTED PINE AND PARQUETRY CABINET ON A GEORGE I GILTWOOD STAND

THE CABINET LATE 17TH EARLY 18TH CENTURY, THE STAND CIRCA 1720 ATTRIBUTED TO JAMES MOORE

Details

A JAPANESE GILT-LACQUERED-BRASS MOUNTED PINE AND PARQUETRY CABINET ON A GEORGE I GILTWOOD STAND
THE CABINET LATE 17TH EARLY 18TH CENTURY, THE STAND CIRCA 1720 ATTRIBUTED TO JAMES MOORE
The rectangular cabinet with raised grain panels within micro-mosaic borders of contrasting woods and ivory with loop handles to the sides, pierced lock plate and hinges enclosing ten variously-sized drawers, two with locks and inscribed '7' in Japanese to the drawer bottoms, on a stand with arched scrolled brackets centred by a shell and chamfered square legs, re-gilt
59 in. (150 cm.) high; 32 in. (82 cm.) wide; 21½ in. (55 cm.) deep

Provenance

Possibly Sarah, 1st Duchess of Marlborough (1660-1744) and thence by descent through her daughter Anne (1683-1716), wife of Charles, 3rd Earl of Sunderland (1675-1722) to her favourite grandson Hon. John Spencer (1708-46), father of John, 1st Earl Spencer (1734-1783).
By descent to Charles Robert, 6th Earl Spencer (1857-1922) at Althorp where photographed in the Marlborough Room in 1913; and later moved to Spencer House, where photographed in Lord Spencer's Room in 1926, and then removed back to Althorp that year by Albert Edward John, 7th Earl Spencer (1892=1975).

Literature

Albert Edward John, 7th Earl Spencer (1892-1975), Althorp, Furniture, Vol. I, circa 1937 and later
P. Thornton and J. Hardy, 'The Spencer Furniture at Althorp', Apollo, April 1968, p. 182, fig. 7
J. Friedman, Spencer House, Chronicle of a great London mansion, London, 1993, p. 116, ill. 83, in 1926 in the Palm Room

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country. No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis. Please note Payments and Collections will be unavailable on Monday 12th July 2010 due to a major update to the Client Accounting IT system. For further details please call +44 (0) 20 7839 9060 or e-mail info@christies.com

Brought to you by

Victoria von Westenholz

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Lot Essay

With its characteristic scallop-shell apron and elegant arched pierced brackets, the stand displays the hand of James Moore. Working in partnership with John Gumley, Moore was employed on Royal commissions from 1714, specializing in finely carved gilt-gesso work embellished with strapwork and scrolling foliage in a rich baroque vein. Moore was also independently employed by Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, eventually supervising the building work at Blenheim Palace after Vanbrugh's dismissal in 1716. She later referred to Moore as her 'Oracle' - and it would seem highly likely that this 'Indian' cabinet and its stand originally formed part of Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough's legacy (G. Beard and C. Gilbert, The Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840, Leeds, 1986, pp. 618-619).

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