A German fruitwood, Hungarian ash and marquetry cabinet, Augsburg second half 16th century and later

the reverse with a paper label:Royal County Depository Reading, C&G Ayres Ltd, Lady Thomson-Walker ; partially reconstructed

Isabella (née Nairn), Lady Thomson-Walker (1875-1968), Daughter of Sir Michael Nairn, 1st Bt; wife of Sir John Thomson-Walker, (1871-1937).

Superb detail to marquetry which is in very good overall condition. There are some very minor patches to the veneer and restorations to the veneer commensurate with age, but these have been well executed and are not too noticeable. There is a patch to the ash on the top. There is a difference in construction in some of the drawers, some of which are of oak and five of poplar or pine, which may well have been relined. There are also some old minor restorations generally, which do not detract from the piece. Some of the metalwork has probably been replaced due to the age of the piece and turned handles are probably later. Some very miniscule sections of veneer missing which are hardly noticeable and do not detract from the piece. A fine example due to its size and the detail of marquetry. 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:
R. Baarsen, German Furniture, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, 1998, pp. 6-15.
Simon Jervis, Printed Furniture Designs before 1650, S.Maney, England, 1974.
L. Möller, Der Wrangelschrank und die verwandten Süddeutschen Intarsienmöbel des 16 Jahrhunderts, Berlin, 1956.

This cabinet with its virtuoso marquetry is a good example of the distinctive type of  cabinet which emanated from Augsburg in the second half of the 16th century. They were known as `schreibtische'  and were in their time considered a luxury item.  According to Baarsen, op. cit., `From the mid-16th century onwards marquetry flourished in this city, fostered by the availability of many indigenous woods and the rapid evolution of new production techniques'. Most Augsburg marquetry furniture is decorated with landscapes containing ruins and in 1567, Lorenz Stoer published, "Geometria et Perspektiva" in Augsburg, that depicted ruins for the specific use of cabinet-makers-see for example, Jervis, op. cit..