Lot 186
  • 186

A George II parcel-gilt and scarlet-japanned desk-and-bookcase circa 1735 , Manner of Giles Grendey

Estimate
100,000 - 120,000 USD
Log in to view results
bidding is closed

Description

  • Giles Grendey
  • pine and oak
  • height 7 ft. 9 in.; width 40 3/4 in.; depth 23 1/4 in.
  • 236.2 cm; 103.5 cm; 59.1 cm
the arched swan's-neck broken pediment over a pair of later mirror-inset shaped doors opening to an interior fitted with valanced pigeonholes, document slots and small drawers centering a prospect door all above candle slides, the lower section with a slant front and reading ledge, opening to a similarly fitted interior above four long drawers, raised on bracket feet, painted overalll with chinoiseries of flowers, foliage and figures in landscapes.  Decoration refreshed, feet and apron later.

Provenance

Sotheby's New York, October 18, 1997, lot 363

Condition

Overall good restored condition; the japanned decoration refreshed and restored though there are large areas where one can see the original decoration in tact; lacking finial; mirror plates replaced; the interior of the drawers with later paint to resemble Japanese lacquer; feet and bottom aprons to lower section most probably replaced and with 'antiqued bruises' to the surface; the blocks behind feet are later; small chips and losses to japanned decoration at extremities; otherwise the piece is in good condition and is sturdy and solid and the colors are bright and figures and scenes are very well-painted. Upon further inspection, the side panels to the upper section look to be restored with some lifting to the japanned surface in places and some cracks and small losses and in need of some attention. The interior panels behind the mirrors are later-painted.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

The present desk-and-bookcase is very similar to number of bookcases attributed to the cabinet-maker Giles Grendey including one which was supplied by Grendey to the Duke Infantado at Lazcano Castle in Northern Spain circa 1735 and sold at Christie's, London, July 7, 1988, lot 129 (£220,000).  The use of the swan-neck broken pediment with gilded molding, the slightly arched mirror-paneled doors, the arrangement of the interior to the upper section, and the way in which the figures are painted is nearly identical to Grendey's desk-and-bookcase which was one of approximately seventy-seven pieces which he supplied to the Duke Infantado.  The majority of this famous suite was bought by the Venice-base American dealer Adolph Loewi in 1930 from Lazcano Castle.  The following year, Loewi sold twenty-four side chairs, four armchairs and two girandoles to Walter Rosen for the dining room of his house, Caramoor, Katonah, New York.  A number of pieces from the suite are in public collections including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Victorian & Albert Museum and the National Gallery of Victoria, and Temple Newsam House.

Another similar desk-and-bookcase also attributed to Grendey sold at Sotheby's, London, July 10, 1998, lot 21 (£220,000)  Like the Infantado bookcase, it incorporates the swan neck broken pediment, similar mirrored doors and interior arrangement. A further example, which differs slightly with its bombé form lower section sold in these rooms, January 25, 1997, lot 221 ($380,000).

Giles Grendey

Grendey's first workshop was at St. Paul's, Covent Garden, moving to premises in St. John's Square, Clerkenwell, in 1722 where he developed a thriving export trade. It was reported in various newspapers on August 7, 1731, including the Daily Post and Daily Advertiser, that Grendey was described as being 'the greatest loser, among the stock destroyed being "an easy Chair of such rich and curious Workmanship, that he had refus'd 500 guineas for it, bring intended, 'tis said to be purchas'd by a Person of Quality who design'd it as a Present to a German Prince' and furniture to the value of £1,000, which he "had pack'd for Exportation against the next Morning."  Like much of Grendey's furniture, many pieces retain his printed paper trade label, together with a number of stamped initials which can be identified with the names of his apprentices. These labels and initials have allowed a number of attributions to be made which have expanded his oeuvre, his actual documented work being very sparse.

Related Literature:

Christopher Gilbert, 'Furniture by Giles Grendey for the Spanish Trade', Antiques, April 1971, pp. 544-550

Christopher Gilbert, Furniture at Temple Newsam House and Lotherton Hall, 1978, pp. 79-81