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Lot Essay
The cabinet relates to the work of William Hallett Snr. (d.1781), the pre-eminent craftsman of the period, who made bookcases and cabinets in the 'Kentian' tradition with triangular or broken-neck pediments, and rich carving. These include a monumental bookcase illustrated in A. Coleridge, 'A Reappraisal of William Hallett, Furniture History, 1965, pl. 1, a cabinet inscribed in pencil 'William Hallett / 1763 Long Acre', formerly at Halswell Park, Somerset (sold Christie's, New York, 14 October 2009, lot 54, $218,500), and the Walpole and Brand cabinets, attributed to Hallett Snr. (the latter sold Christie's, London, 'The Exceptional Sale', 5 July 2012, lot 5, £1,217,250).
It may also be identified as the work of Hallett Snr.'s former journeyman, William Vile (d.1767) of St. Martin's Lane, London. From 1753, Vile formed a powerful syndicate with John Cobb (d.1778) and Hallett Snr., and in partnership with Cobb received a royal warrant as of 1761. Hallett Snr., and to a lesser extent his son, operated as silent partners to Vile and Cobb, so their work is often confused. Related furniture attributed to Vile includes a medal cabinet, formerly the property of the Duke of Wellington, Stratfieldsaye House, Hampshire (Ed. R. Edwards and M. Jourdain, Georgian Cabinet-makers, 1955, p. 151, fig. 61), and a densely carved and gilt chest, circa 1755-60, from Longford Castle, Wiltshire. These two comparables display intricately carved rosettes and bands of diverse ornamentation similar to that found on the present cabinet (ibid., p. 154, fig. 66).
It may also be identified as the work of Hallett Snr.'s former journeyman, William Vile (d.1767) of St. Martin's Lane, London. From 1753, Vile formed a powerful syndicate with John Cobb (d.1778) and Hallett Snr., and in partnership with Cobb received a royal warrant as of 1761. Hallett Snr., and to a lesser extent his son, operated as silent partners to Vile and Cobb, so their work is often confused. Related furniture attributed to Vile includes a medal cabinet, formerly the property of the Duke of Wellington, Stratfieldsaye House, Hampshire (Ed. R. Edwards and M. Jourdain, Georgian Cabinet-makers, 1955, p. 151, fig. 61), and a densely carved and gilt chest, circa 1755-60, from Longford Castle, Wiltshire. These two comparables display intricately carved rosettes and bands of diverse ornamentation similar to that found on the present cabinet (ibid., p. 154, fig. 66).