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Lot Essay
The chest exhibits the restrained characteristics common in Thomas Chippendale's work, including the extensive commission for Ninian Home at Paxton House, Berwickshire, between 1774-91 and for Sir Edward Knatchbull, Bt, at Mersham-Le-Hatch, Kent between 1767-79. Gilbert praised this 'neat plainness' that 'underlines a basic quality which informs many more richly styled solid mahogany pieces' (Christopher Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1972, vol.I, p.272).
Closely related chests were supplied in 1759 for Dumfries House, one of Chippendale's more significant commissions, but these are attributed to Alexander Peter, whose contribution at Dumfries was analysed in Rufus Bird, 'Who was the "Dumfries House Cabinet-Maker"?', Christie's sale catalogue, 13 July 2007, vol. II, pp. 7 - 11. Importantly the present lot features the S-pattern escutcheon (and accompanying original key) distinctive in the work of Chippendale, and the same beaded handle pattern as a commode at Paxton House of circa 1774, illustrated in Anthony Coleridge, 'Chippendale, Interior-Decorator and House-Furnisher', Apollo, April 1963, pp. 295 - 302, fig. 10.
Closely related chests were supplied in 1759 for Dumfries House, one of Chippendale's more significant commissions, but these are attributed to Alexander Peter, whose contribution at Dumfries was analysed in Rufus Bird, 'Who was the "Dumfries House Cabinet-Maker"?', Christie's sale catalogue, 13 July 2007, vol. II, pp. 7 - 11. Importantly the present lot features the S-pattern escutcheon (and accompanying original key) distinctive in the work of Chippendale, and the same beaded handle pattern as a commode at Paxton House of circa 1774, illustrated in Anthony Coleridge, 'Chippendale, Interior-Decorator and House-Furnisher', Apollo, April 1963, pp. 295 - 302, fig. 10.