A HIGHLY IMPORTANT GEORGE III MARQUETRY INLAID HAREWOOD AND GILT METAL MOUNTED SECRETAIRE COMMODE ATTRIBUTED TO MAYHEW AND INCE circa 1775

of semi-elliptical form, the harewood veneered top variously cross banded and with stringing, centered at the back with a fan medallion with a flower head center and overlaid with trailing berried leaves, the edge with a broad satinwood band inlaid with encircled anthemion and flower heads, the edge with a brass molding, the front centered by two tambour fronted doors inlaid with various colored veneers, opening to a secretaire drawer, pulling forward to reveal a satinwood writing surface inlaid with an open book, one page engraved with a musical score inscribed For the Guitar, the others marked I, II, III and IIII and scratch writing, and fitted with a small curved cupboard, the tambour front with chevron veneers, the door flanked by two husk inlaid pilasters with ebony and amboyna plinths, and with arched pigeon holes above an arrangement of small curved drawers, one fitted for inkwells, above three long drawers each cross banded and line inlaid with foliate and scroll inlaid escutcheons, the lower drawer similarly inlaid to the top with anthemion and flower heads, the stiles to each side inlaid with trailing leaves and berries headed by strapwork inlaid tablets, each curved side fitted with a cupboard quarter veneered in harewood and cross banded and line inlaid  and each centered by an oval panel of amboyna, the frieze above inlaid with blind fluting, the lower part similarly inlaid with anthemion and flower heads, supported on square tapered legs with blind fluting and brass caps cast with fluting, the original gilt metal handles with laurel leaf rings encircling flower head patera.

Vost Fine Art Auctioneers, Newmarket, Suffolk

Overall good restored condition, the tope with inpainted age cracks and some patches and inpainted stress cracks, some small chips to veneer, age cracks to center two feet, overall with some old marks, scratches, scuffs and bruises consistent with age and use.
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.

With its fine marquetry inlay in variously colored and engraved woods and panels of yew wood on a harewood ground is attributed to the partnership of John Mayhew and William Ince who are described in The Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-18440 as 'one of the most significant, probably the longest lived but, as far as identified furniture is concerned, the least well documented of any of the major London cabinetmakers of the 18^th century'.  

 

 

A upper drawers of a marquetry inlaid harewood chest of drawers in the collection of the Duke of Northumberland at Syon, have similarly drawn inlaid ovals enclosing anthemions, although these are separated by linked circles with flower head patera. This design is also found on a commode of unusual form with a curved lifting top and on a lady's writing table at Stourhesd  

Another commode of this unusual form is recorded which is inlaid on a satinwood ground with foliate and flower marquetry, the ends inlaid with musical trophies, the gilt-metal mounts on the stiles enclosing the tambour being of a design found on other pieces attributed to the partnership.  

Handles of the same pattern are found on a sideboard also in the manner of Mayhew and Ince illustrated in English Furniture - The Georgian Period -1730-1830, London 1953, p. 190, figs. 155, 156.

See:

Ralph Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, London, 1953, vol. II, pl. I

C.I.N.O.A. International Art Treasures Exhibition, Victoria and Albert Museum, March 2 - April 29, 1962, no. 107, p. 107, pl. 84, exhibited by M. Harris and Sons, London

Clifford Musgrave, Adam and Hepplewhite and other NeoClassical Furniture, London, 1966, pl. A, and fig. 164