CIRCA 1680

Details

A CHARLES II COCUS WOOD AND WALNUT CABINET-ON-CHEST
CIRCA 1680
Oyster veneered throughout, the moulded cornice above two doors enclosing an arrangement of nine drawers around a prospect door enclosing three further small drawers, above a frieze drawer, the lower section with two cupboard doors enclosing two fitted shelves, on later shaped bracket feet, the engraved metalwork apparently original, the drawers lined with 18th century marbled paper, some veneers of Indian rosewood, replacements to the handles
64 in. (162.5 cm.) high; 36 in. (91.5 cm.) wide; 17 ¼ in. (44 cm.) deep

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country. This lot will be removed to Christie’s Park Royal. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage and our fees for storage are set out in the table below - these will apply whether the lot remains with Christie’s or is removed elsewhere. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Christie’s Park Royal. All collections from Christie’s Park Royal will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.

Sale room notice

The description should read 'A Charles II cocus wood and walnut cabinet-on-chest, circa 1680, originally a cabinet-on-stand, modified in the second half of the 18th century'.

Brought to you by

Peter Horwood

phorwood@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2359

Lot Essay

The cabinet is veneered with cocus wood, a hard, dense wood with a chocolate brown heart and a yellow sapwood, often referred to, erroneously, as laburnum. It was imported from the West Indies and was often known as West Indian ebony. It was used as a cabinet wood between 1660-1740 and in this instance the cocus wood has been cut both obliquely and lengthways to provide a decorative 'oyster' effect and contrasting striped pattern (A. Bowett, "Myths of English Furniture History: Laburnum Wood Furniture", Antique Collecting, June 1998, pp. 22-23).
A pair of silver-mounted oyster-veneered cabinets is in the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle, one illustrated in P. Macquoid & R. Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, 1927, Vol. I, fig. 2, p. 163; they were given in circa 1665 by King Charles I's Queen, Henrietta Maria, to the Earl of St. Albans. Another cabinet on stand is illustrated in A Bowett, English Furniture 1660 - 1714, Woodbridge, 2002, p.54, pl. 2.35.
A Charles II cocus wood mirror was sold from the collections of Christopher Gibbs and Harris Lindsay, Christie's, London, 10 May 2006, lot 32 (£15,600 including premium).

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