A George III fustic and kingwood parquetry secretaire cabinet circa 1770, possibly by Mayhew and Ince

the fall front enclosing pigeonholes and seven drawers, the drawers to the lower section mahogany lined

Probably commissioned by Henry Compton of Minstead near Lyndhurst, Hampshire
Thence by descent

Fair overall unrestored country house condition. Secretaire drawer is tight fitting. Some lifting to parquetry. Losses to crossbanding between drawers and the sides. Sun-faded on the sides. Repairs and replacements to veneers, particularly on feet. Some larger cracking. The right side with some lifting of parquetry veneers due to dryness. The left side with some larger cracking to veneers on the bombé surfaces. Lovely colour and patina. Minor characteristic old marks and scratches consistent with age. The handles apparently original. The central drawer to the interior lacking runners. Attractive small proportions.
"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."

The present cabinet is of a very similar form to a yewwood and marquetry small cabinet attributed to Mayhew and Ince, offered Christie's London, 28 November 2002, lot 105. Besides sharing the same configuration of drawers surmounted by twin panels, the example here also features the same distinctive chequer stringing. Furthermore the handles to the drawers are found on a group of furniture associated with Mayhew and Ince including a secretaire cabinet offered, Sotheby's New York,`Tom Devenish: The Collection', 24 April, 2008, lot 69.

Related cabinets include and example, sold Christie's London, 9 April 1981, lot 82 , a cabinet with Paul Coutts Ltd., Edinburgh, illustrated in the Grosvenor House Art & Antiques Fair Catalogue, 1989, p. 77 and an ormolu mounted cabinet, in the collection of the late Harold Werner, Bt., G.C.V.o, Luton Hoo, offered Sotheby's London, 24-25 May 1995, lot 33.

The firm of John Mayhew (1736-1811) and William Ince (d. 1804) was one of the most successful and enduring partnerships of cabinet-makers in the 18^th century. They are first recorded as partners in December 1758, advertising from an address at Broad Street in January 1759. Earlier, Mayhew had been apprenticed to William Bradshaw, and Ince to John West, before forming a brief partnership after West's death in 1758 with Samuel Norman and James Whittle. In 1763 they were described as 'cabinet-makers, carvers and upholders', and in 1778 'manufacturers of plate glass' appeared on their bill heading. From the 1780s the categories of 'cabinet maker' and upholsterer predominate, reflecting the change in taste from carved to veneered and inlaid furniture, which was more fashionable. One of their early ventures was to publish The Universal System of Household Furniture in 1762 which included eighty-nine numbered plates and six smaller ones dedicated to the 4^th Duke of Marlborough. The relative failure of this work, which was issued in only one edition, was probably caused by the distinctly Rococo manner of the designs which was to become rapidly unfashionable in the next few years due to the rise of the Neo-Classical taste and the architect Robert Adam. The partnership was not slow in embracing these new forms, as is shown by their own work and their close involvement with Adam himself in making furniture to his own designs for many of his important clients. Some of Mayhew and Ince's important patrons included the Prince of Wales, 5^th Duke of Devonshire, 5^th Duke of Bedford, 1^st Duke and Duchess of Northumberland and 7^th Baron Digby.