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Lot Essay
This lady's writing-table with its geometric brass ornament and kingwood veneers relates to the work of George Oakley (d.1841), who produced furniture in the Grecian style for the Prince Regent, among other distinguished patrons, during his long career which lasted from 1789 to 1819. The firm was granted a royal warrant in 1799 after receiving a visit from Queen Charlotte and other members of the Royal family upon which '...her MAJESTY, the Duke and Duchess of YORK, and the PRINCESSES, &c., highly approved of the splendid variety which has justly attracted the notice of the fashionable world' (Morning Chronicle, May 1799).
Designed in the French-antique fashion popularized by Thomas Hope's Household Furniture and Interior Decoration (1807), its chiffonier book-shelf with griffin supports and boulle inlay relate to a secretaire bonheur-du-jour sold Sotheby's, London, 7 July 1989, lot 135. An almost identical example but for a pedestal stand was sold Un Hotel Particulier du Faubourg Saint-Germain, Christie's, London, 21-22 November 2007, lot 101 and is illustrated in G Wills, English Furniture 1760-1900, London, 1971, p. 167., fig. 131. Although not directly traceable, the crown-ensigned VR (Victoria Regina) inventory brand on the underside of this writing-table probably dates from the 1860s.
Designed in the French-antique fashion popularized by Thomas Hope's Household Furniture and Interior Decoration (1807), its chiffonier book-shelf with griffin supports and boulle inlay relate to a secretaire bonheur-du-jour sold Sotheby's, London, 7 July 1989, lot 135. An almost identical example but for a pedestal stand was sold Un Hotel Particulier du Faubourg Saint-Germain, Christie's, London, 21-22 November 2007, lot 101 and is illustrated in G Wills, English Furniture 1760-1900, London, 1971, p. 167., fig. 131. Although not directly traceable, the crown-ensigned VR (Victoria Regina) inventory brand on the underside of this writing-table probably dates from the 1860s.