A Victorian mahogany, satinwood and inlaid tambour writing bureau circa 1880, by Wright and Mansfield of London

in the Sheraton revival style, the top with three quarter pierced brass gallery, the interior fitted with drawers and pigeonholes and pull out leather lined writing slide, five drawers stamped 'WRIGHT & MANSFIELD 104 BOND STREET LONDON'

Of high quality. The piece is in good restored ocndition. The tambour runs smoothly. Minor restored losses to moulded detail. Leather writing surface replaced. Characteristic old marks and scratches consistent with age and use. A very nice example.
"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 partnership of Alfred Thomas Wright, a cabinet maker and upholsterer, and Thomas Nedham Mansfield, son of the well-established builders and decorators of Gray`s Inn Lane and 52 Wigmore Street and Oxford Street, before moving to 104 New Bond Street, was one of the pre-eminent makers of furniture in the George III style between 1860-1886. About the firm, the magazine The Cabinet Maker & Art Furnisher, vol. VII, July 1, 1886 reported: `They must be accounted the leaders of that passing fashion which has happily brought back into our houses many of the charming shapes of the renowned eighteenth century cabinet makers... the best forms of Chippendale, Hepplewhite and particularly Sheraton have been made to live again under the renovating influence of these able manufacturers'. They produced a cabinet, designed by Crosse and bought by the Victoria and Albert Museum from the 1867 Paris Exhibition, which won a medal and was distinguished by the fact that it was the first piece of furniture in an English style to receive an award at an international exhibition ( see R. Symonds and B.B. Whineray, Victorian Furniture, 1962, p.45).

 

Amongst their notable commissions is the only surviving suite of reception rooms completely decorated and furnished by the firm for the 7th Earl and Countess of Aberdeen in the 1880s at Haddo House, Aberdeenshire. Shortly after completing this work the firm of Wright & Mansfield was formally dissolved as a partnership in 1884.