Lot Essay
The use of yew wood veneers is closely associated with the Golden Square, Soho, cabinet-makers Messrs. Mayhew and Ince, 'the only wholly idiosyncratic veneer wood the firm used and possibly unique to Mayhew and Ince among London cabinet-makers of this date' (C. Gilbert, The Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840, Leeds, 1986, pp. 589-593). The firm supplied a veneered yew wood commode to Sir Brook Bridges of Goodnestone Park, Kent, that was exhibited in Treasures from Kent Houses, Royal Museum, Canterbury, September-October 1984, no. 57. A mahogany and burr yew pembroke table possibly by Mayhew & Ince was sold Christie's, New York, 17 October 2003, lot 222 ($17,925 including premium).