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Lot Essay
This sideboard, with its ebony and brass inlay recalls the work of George Oakley, whose firm produced fashionable furniture in the 'Grecian' style, specializing in 'buhl' inlay, in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries (C. Gilbert and G. Beard, eds., Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840, 1986, pp.658-660). Listed at various locations from 1789 to 1819, the firm's popular designs and quality craftsmanship earned them royal patronage in addition to private commissions.
The geometric brass frieze inlay, with contrasting ebony timber, relates to a chiffoniere attributed to Oakley sold anonymously; Christie's, New York, 23 October 2002, lot 17. Comparable inlay can also be found on a sideboard attributed to Oakley, sold from the Collection of Mrs. Sydell Ballon and the Estate of Frederick Ballon; Christie's, New York, 9 April 2003, lot 27.
The geometric brass frieze inlay, with contrasting ebony timber, relates to a chiffoniere attributed to Oakley sold anonymously; Christie's, New York, 23 October 2002, lot 17. Comparable inlay can also be found on a sideboard attributed to Oakley, sold from the Collection of Mrs. Sydell Ballon and the Estate of Frederick Ballon; Christie's, New York, 9 April 2003, lot 27.