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Lot Essay
This form of bachelor's chest/writing table with folding top reflects the fashion for moveable multi-purpose furniture introduced to London bedroom-apartments in the early 18th century. Inspired by French models, Royal cabinet-maker Gerrit Jensen introduced similar folding tables at Kensington Palace in 1690 (A. Bowett, English Furniture 1660-1714, Suffolk, 2002, p. 213, pl. 7:35). The Riddell desk is of the same form as a scarlet japanned example, formerly in Sir Philip Sassoon's collection, and sold by the Marquis of Cholmondeley, 'Houghton', Christie's, London, 8 December 1994, lot 114.
The inlay depicting arches headed by keystones appears on an early scriptor supplied for the Duke of Lauderdale at Ham House in the 1670s (A. Bowett, op. cit, p. 48, pl. 2:25-26). This device also appears on a group of walnut bureaux dating from the 1720s (see R.W. Symonds, English Furniture from Charles II to George II, London, 1929, p.139, fig.85). For a discussion of the group, see Christie's, New York, 22 April 1999, lot 191. A comparable kneehole chest (without folding top) was sold from the collections of the Late Francis Egerton and Peter Maitland, Sotheby's, London, 28 April 2010, lot 716.
The inlay depicting arches headed by keystones appears on an early scriptor supplied for the Duke of Lauderdale at Ham House in the 1670s (A. Bowett, op. cit, p. 48, pl. 2:25-26). This device also appears on a group of walnut bureaux dating from the 1720s (see R.W. Symonds, English Furniture from Charles II to George II, London, 1929, p.139, fig.85). For a discussion of the group, see Christie's, New York, 22 April 1999, lot 191. A comparable kneehole chest (without folding top) was sold from the collections of the Late Francis Egerton and Peter Maitland, Sotheby's, London, 28 April 2010, lot 716.