A George II Brass-Mounted and Padouk-Veneered Tea Chest CIRCA 1745-1750

of rectangular form, the lid with an incurved molded edge, one end fitted with a spring-operated shallow spoon drawer, the edges all with brass moldings and with a carrying handle, opening to a pair of brass tea caddies with circular caps and a box with a domed hinged lid.

In good restored condition, the brass mounts and tea caddies recently cleaned and now varnished.
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.

The present Tea Chest may be compared to a small group of similarly veneered and brass-mounted and inlaid boxes which is discussed by Christopher Gilbert and Tessa Murdoch in John Channon and brass-inlaid furniture 1730-1760, 1993, pp. 126. Unusually, one of these is signed T Landall. Thomas Landall (1724-c. 1756) of Little Argyle Street, Westminster, London, traded in the 1750s as Landall & Gordon at the sign of 'Griffin and Chair', their trade card illustrating a splat-back chair and a tea chest, the latter being similar to an elaborately mounted example formerly in the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Gersh, sold in these rooms, October 18, 2006, lot 28. The profile of the present example may be compare with the signed example (Gilbert and Murdoch, op. cit., p. 20, pl. 133), although it lacks the brass moldings and is veneered in mahogany with fine brass lines. Another example, an un-attributed work illustrated in the same publication (p. 124, pl. 167) shows another tea chest of similar profile veneered in burr walnut and with brass moldings and fine brass inlay. As with the present example, this has a spring-operated concealed drawer on the side, the mechanism being released by an identical lozenge-shaped button. Other brass-inlaid tea chests have been attributed to Frederick Hintz and John Channon, the former advertising in the Daily Post, May 22, 1738, the sale of 'a choice Parcel of Desks and Bookcases of mahogany, tea tables, tea chests , tea-boards etc. all curiously made and inlaid with figures of Brass and mother-of pearl'.