Fine Early 18th Century Walnut Secretaire Cabinet

A rare and important George I Walnut Secretaire Cabinet of good colour and fine proportions, veneered in the finest highly figured and burr Walnut veneers. This piece relates closely to documented examples bearing the Coxed and Woster label one of which is illustrated in C.Gilbert, Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture 1700 – 1840, Leeds, 1996, p.161, fig. 250.
A further two images bearing John Coxed’s trade label of circa 1710 – 15, both illustrated in A. Bowett, English Furniture 1660 – 1714, Woodbridge, 2002, p.226, pls. 7.59 and 7.60.
It is interesting to note that the same gilt brass ring drop handles with domed back plates were used on the interior of both pieces and that the top section of the interior drawer formation is almost identical, apart from the addition of a secret concave drawer operated from underneath by removing the middle drawer. This type of drawer to the top can be seen on pieces by William old and John Ody who were contemporaries of Coxed and Woster, both firms had workshops in the st. Paul’s Churchyard area of London.
The originality of this piece along with the striking Walnut veneers make it special. Originally the handles to the drawers in the base were the same as those of the interior, we can see this due to the old fixings inside the drawer fronts, ring handles can also be seen to the base of other documented examples from st. Paul’s Churchyard London. The handles that are now fitted to the base drawers are gilt brasses of the period and similar to those on other pieces of this type. These larger and stronger handles we believe were fitted within the first few years after it was made as the originals were too weak for the larges base drawers. The other fittings are all original including hinges, locks, bolts and interior handles.
The feet on pieces of this early period are usually replaced, on this example they are original with repairs. The original Oak drawer linings are exceptionally clean showing that the piece has not been heavily used over the years, in fact we believe it probably stood in the same house for most of its life until recently. In one of the interior drawers was an envelope with the words Fragment veneer off Bridewain Cabinet written on it. We were intrigued by this as we had no idea what a bridewain was. However having researched this we found that it means wedding present, we think that this chest may have been made as a wedding gift originally and that the family had referred to it as such ever since.
A very Similar Secretaire Cabinet with Japanned finish having the exact same interior drawer formation can be found in The Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York City.

Price £24,000

Dimensions

Height = 189 cm (74.4″)
Width = 108 cm (42.5″)
Depth = 49 cm (19.3″)

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Fine Early 18th Century Walnut Cabinet On Chest

A fine and highly figured Queen Anne Walnut Cabinet On Chest of good rich warm colour. The piece is in remarkably honest condition retaining the impressive original chased brass hinges, handles, escutcheons, locks and fastenings. The interior is fitted with ten figured Walnut drawers with clean original Oak linings and the original ring drop handles. Hinges of this type have been found on the furniture of London makers, some bearing the label Coxed and Woster, they are often associated with lacquered cabinets, this subject is covered in Adam Bowett’s book on English Furniture.
You can clearly see where the veneer has cracked along the line of the cleats to the top and bottom of the doors, this is something we expect to see on these Cabinets due to shrinkage. Many cabinets of this type have replacement veneer to the doors, this one certainly has its original veneers throughout.
The feet are later replacements made in the correct manner for the period.

Price 24,000 Sold

Dimensions

Height = 188 cm (74.0″)
Width = 100 cm (39.4″)
Depth = 50 cm (19.7″)

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Charles II Olive Oyster-veneered And Floral Marquetry Cabinet On Stand.

Description

A Rare And Highly Important Charles II Olive Oyster-Veneered And Floral Marquetry Cabinet On Stand.
Circa 1665-1680.
Probably by Gerrit Jensen cabinet-maker to the royal household.
The moulded cornice and cushion drawer with marquetry panels above a pair of doors each centered with an arrangement of flowers and a perching Parrot surrounded by foliate spandrels. The outstanding interior with eleven marquetry drawers and central door with three further drawers behind all lined in oak and retaining the original gilded fish tail handles. The drawers are clearly numbered we believe by the maker in roman numerals. The sides are also decorated in similar marquetry panels. The stand with a long frieze drawer oyster-veneered with marquetry panels on twist turned walnut legs with shaped stretcher and bun feet. The twist legs and stretcher replaced to match the original design.
The striking similarities in the detail of the marquetry work and handles on this cabinet and that on the one at Ham House by Gerrit Jenson lead us to believe it is likely they were made by the same maker. Elizabeth Murray of Ham House was the countess of Dysart a former town and borough close to Edinbrough where this cabinet was discovered. The Murray family home was Tullibardine Castle that was dismantled in 1747 and then completely demolished in the 1830s. Elizabeth Murray who was close to Charles II had an eye for the finest furniture and works of art, she significatly extended and refurbished Ham house around 1670-1680.

A Cabinet very similar to this one was recently acquired by the National Museum Of Victoria, it was sold previously at Christies in ( The English collector & Tapestries ) London on the 31 of October 2012, Lot 62.

Literature
for other examples of this type see:
Herbert Cescinsky, English Furniture from Gothic to Sheraton, page 129 & 135.
Herbert Cescinsky, English Furniture of the 18th Century, page 96 & 97.
Adam Bowett English Furniture from Charles II to Queen Anne, page 57 to 59.
Herbert Cescinsly and Ernest R.Gribble, Early English Furniture and Woodwork, page 260 & 261.

Price £45,000 Reserved.

Dimensions

Height = 165 cm (65.0″)
Width = 105 cm (41.3″)
Depth = 48 cm (18.9″)

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