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Lot Essay
This kneehole desk is veneered with yew bordered by an unusual West Indian timber called cocus-wood, a hard, dense wood with a chocolate brown heart and a yellow sapwood, often referred to, erroneously, as laburnum. Cocus-wood, used by cabinet-makers from the 1660s, often appears on contemporary bills and inventories as 'ebony.' Here, the timber has been sawn lengthways to showcase a dramatically striped veneer (see A. Bowett, 'Myths of English Furniture History: Laburnum Wood Furniture,' Antique Collecting, June 1998, pp. 22-23).
Another kneehole of the same model, utilizing the same timbers and unusual handles was sold anonymously, Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York, 18 March 1972, lot 149. Similar handles, derived from French design, also appear on a chest-of-drawers sold Christie's, New York, 21 October 1999, lot 130. The chest, of circa 1760, was attributed to the makers William Gomm & Son based on stylistic attributes. While it is tempting to ascribe this piece to these makers, there is no evidence to date that Gomm used exotic woods in their production.
Another kneehole of the same model, utilizing the same timbers and unusual handles was sold anonymously, Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York, 18 March 1972, lot 149. Similar handles, derived from French design, also appear on a chest-of-drawers sold Christie's, New York, 21 October 1999, lot 130. The chest, of circa 1760, was attributed to the makers William Gomm & Son based on stylistic attributes. While it is tempting to ascribe this piece to these makers, there is no evidence to date that Gomm used exotic woods in their production.