A HIGHLY IMPORTANT GEORGE I SCARLET AND GOLD JAPANNED BUREAU CABINET circa 1720

decorated overall in tones of gold on a scarlet japanned ground with flowers, trees, animals, birds, pavilions, and figures in the oriental, the molded double arched cornice surmounted by urn finials and with a carved gilt wood stylized foliate and shell cresting, the conforming doors below fitted with the original arched and shaped beveled mirror plates cut at the center top with circular pendants, and opening to an interior fitted with a central cupboard enclosed by two doors flanked by pilasters concealing document drawers and with folio slides with valanced pigeon holes above and an arrangement of small drawers below, above two candle slides, the fall front opening to a leather-lined writing surface and a well with a sliding lever and fitted with an open compartment flanked by pilasters concealing document drawers, and with an arrangement of small drawers and pigeon holes, above two small and two long graduated drawers and raised on later shaped bracket feet.  One of the small drawers within the fall with an ink inscription 'Sinistro' on the underside, each section inscribed with the letter B in ink on the reverse; originally with bun feet.

The Collection of Count Brown Clayton, Villa La Punta, Firenze

Thence by descent to Sir H. Russel Hornby

Sold by his grandson, Phillips, Fine Art Auctioneers, London June 22, 1999, lot 528

The 48^th Winter Antiques Show, New York, January 20-27, 2002, exhibited by Devenish, illustrated in the catalogue p. 44

Although the cabinet was partially restored by Mr. Devenish at the time he acquired it, it appears that this was done for cosmetic purposes and if it was now given to a competent restorer its already magnificent appearance could be improved as both Mr. Devenish's restoration and those of a previous restorer were not done in a comparable technique with the original japanning and gilding. The gilding to the finials and the scalloped ornament is original, with small losses which require the minimum of touching in. The molded arched cornice, particularly on the outer right side has several areas of re-touching to the gilt moldings and gilt decoration with bronze paint which has darkened with age, as has the in-painting to the red japanning which now contrasts badly with the original soft-lemon oil gilding The raised decoration to each side has been cleaned and shows a crackled finish probably caused by a bitumen varnish, and it and the japanned background would benefit from some sympathetic cleaning and touching-in. The left side panel has a lateral uneven crack following the interior construction which require aligning and touching-in The raised decoration is in god condition other than small areas of loss which have not been restored, and small areas of old restoration which require improvement. The mirror plates are original, with small areas of discoloration and losses to the silvering particularly on the lower edge. The interior is relatively untouched other than some in-painting. The door panels similarly retain much of their original decoration, although they both have slight bowing and vertical cracks which requite attention. They are retained by later screws and there are small losses to the extreme edges. The interior of the fall is also in similar condition with some in-painting and refreshing of the flat japanned surface on the writing surface which has a later leather panel. As with the top, the moldings to the waist and to the base are over-painted with areas of bronze paint which need to be lightly cleaned and refreshed with oil gilding. The flap now has a small number of losses, old restoration to the raised area s, and refreshing of the japanned surface, as does all the drawers, all of which could be considerably improved by careful removal of this earlier restoration and with re-restoration by a competent craftsman. The edges al have old wear and over-gilding which requires cleaning and touching-in, the book rest still retaining some of the heavy bitumen varnish which has already been removed from the sides as noted above. The lower sides are both in good condition with minor old repairs and touching in which could be improved. Both have small vertical age cracks running through the veneered surface of the carcass. Both are slightly bowed at the front resulting in a small gap at either side of the fall when closed – this can be seen in the illustration. It might be possible to reduce this, but it is not suggested that this is necessary, or should be done. At present the piece is supported on later bracket feet which have replaced the original bun feet. It would not be difficult to replace these, and it would certainly improve the standing and profile of the cabinet. Overall, the japanning is in a brilliant and un-faded condition which, with the removal of the later over-decoration and sympathetic restoration, would be even more spectacular.
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.

This important cabinet brilliantly japanned in scarlet with raised gold decoration in the oriental manner and its unusual carved giltwood ornament can be attributed to John Belchier who is first recorded at The Sun, St. Paul's Churchyard, London, remaining at this address until his death in 1753. Perhaps his most significant commission was at Erdigg, Clywd, for John Meller who had prospered at the Bar and as Master of Chancery, purchasing the estate in 1713. Besides supplying in the early 1720s a number of carved giltwood and gesso mirrors and suites of japanned seat furniture, he supplied a spectacular state bed, the hangings in embroidered Chinese silk. Also placed in the bedroom was a scarlet japanned cabinet which may be compared with the present example, both in profile and form of its decoration. His workshop style can be ascertained, not only from this provenanced example, but also from a number of recorded pieces bearing his trade label. Amongst these is another bureau cabinet in figured burr walnut with an identical profile to the present piece including the arched shape of the mirror plates in the upper doors. Two other japanned cabinets bearing his label are recorded, although both of these have a more architectural provenance, and probably date from the early 1730s. The interior doors of one of these are decorated with oriental ladies similar to the present example, and a labeled corner cabinet decorated with oriental scenes including almost identical large exotic flying birds. Although the present example does not have one of Belchier's printed labels, the reverse is inscribed twice on the backboards in black paint with the capital letter B.

The cabinet has an Italian provenance, one of the small interior drawers having a contemporary ink inscription sistero which is right in Italian. Although it is not known if Belchier was involved in the export trade, certainly a number of his contemporaries had extensive business in Italy, Spain and Portugal. Amongst these was Giles Grendey (1693-1780) who supplied the Duke of Iantado with a scarlet japanned suite of furniture of some 77 pieces.