A fine German brass-mounted walnut bureau-cabinet, Dresden circa 1725

the upper section with a swan neck pediment centred by a plumed bust flanked by standing figures, the mirrored door flanked by canted fluted pilasters with Corinthian capitals, enclosing a fitted interior with drawers, a cupboard and pigeon holes, with three candleslides below, the lower section with a fall-front enclosing a fitted interior above three short and two long drawers, with a brass handle on each side, on ogee bracket feet

By repute believed to have passed by descent from Lucy Stanley granddaughter of the 11^th Earl of Derby to Violet Lady Macfayden of Meopham Bank, Hildenborough, Kent
Offered for sale in these Rooms, 20^th November 1990, lot 67.

Meopham Bank is thought to have been designed by Septimus Burton and built in 1810, with later 20th-century additions by Edwin Lutyens. When the artist, the 19th-century Royal Academician, John F. Herring one of England's great equestrian painters, saw it was "to let with immediate possession ". In 1853, he moved from his London home without delay and lived there until his death in 1865. Later residents included Mr & Mrs R. Cuncliffe and Sir Eric and Lady MacFadyen.

 

Colour less orange more natural and attractive than in the catalogue illustration with good patina. Some very minor restorations to the veneer, which have been very well executed and are hardly noticeable. The partial gilding has been refreshed. The piece is slightly faded in parts, especially the fall-front and left side, but this can be repolished according to taste. Some minor hairline cracks in veneer commensurate with age. The parcel-gilt scrolls on the front and side of the cresting have been replaced. In overall good restored condition.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Comparative Literature:
G.Haase, Dresdener möbel des XVIII Jahrhunderts, Leipzig, 1983, plate 49 & 50, p. 285, fig. 84, illustrates various cabinets conceived in a similar vein in walnut with parcel-gilded elements and p. 285, fig. 84, has similar canted angles with fluted pilasters with corinthian capitols and a swan neck pediment surmounted by a parcel-gilded female bust.

The fitted interior also bears close similarities to that of the bureau illustrated by Haase, op. cit., plates 49 & 50, including the herringbone crossbanding and the shaped dividers of the pigeon holes.

The form of the bureau cabinet derives from the English 18^th century prototypes which were so popular in the German states. In Dresden, from 1734 it became one of the most recognised forms for an apprentice to proffer as his masterpiece.