Description
This remarkable English, early-18th century, well-figured burr walnut and feather banded secretaire cabinet is in lovely condition with excellent colour and patina. George I period, circa 1720.
The cabinet with an unusually bold cavetto cornice and a fitted bible or chart drawer.
Two book-matched featherbanded doors open to reveal numerous fitted drawers with one concealing a secret drawer.
The top section separates from the base and sits in the original bold cross-grain walnut moulding.
The base contains four drawers, all faced in burr walnut and feather banded. The top drawer is hinged and reveals a fitted secretaire. The bottom drawer with the original concave inlaid sunburst.
The whole is raised on its original shaped feet. Most locks, hinges and keys apparently original, some handles are later. Oak lined.
Nb. This exceptional antique cabinet is distinguished by its very pronounced projecting cornice, the fitted secretaire drawer, and the concave sunburst. It is rare to encounter all three features in a fine cabinet of this form.
Nnb. Many of these cabinets have lost their fitted interior drawers which considerably affects value.
Literature:
Wallace Nutting, Furniture Treasury, Vol. I, All Periods Of American Furniture, Macmillan, NY (1928) ills. 358-382.
References and illustrations of stylised sunbursts are relatively rare in English furniture of this period.
Ralph Edwards CBE FSA, The Shorter Dictionary of English Furniture, Hamlyn, London (Fourth Impression 1972) p. 205, ill. 23, shows an English walnut tallboy with similar sunburst, ca 1710.
