A Regency brass-inlaid rosewood and gilt-bronze mounted side cabinet circa 1810, attributed to John Mclean

with a drawer above a pair of cupboard doors enclosing a shelf flanked by two dummy drawers each above cupboard doors enclosing a shelf 

Mallett & Son, London, illustrated Country Life, June 25th 1987, p.105.

Related Literature: Simon Redburn, 'John Mclean & Son', The Journal of the Furniture History Society, 1978, Vol. XIV, pp.31-37.

Overall very good restored condition. The colour is very good. Brass lifting in some places. Minor old marks and scratches consistent with age and use. Brass grilles in doors later. Later locks. The end doors have grained in and filled holes to the centre suggesting that there was originally a mount fixed there.The turned feet are later and have been grained to match.
"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."

This finely mounted rosewood side cabinet is typical of the work of the London cabinet-makers John Mclean and Son ( 1770-1825).  First recorded in Little Newport Street, Leicester Square, his trade card describing him as a `Cabinet, Chair Maker and UPHOLDER' and illustrating a lady`s dressing table in the French taste. By 1790 the firm had moved to Upper Marylebone Street remaining at this address until its demise in 1825, although other addresses at Pancras Street and Upper Terrace in the vicinity of Tottenham Court Road are recorded. Much of McLean`s work is conceived in a similar manner to the present piece, being veneered in richly figured rosewood veneers and ornamented with gilt-bronze mounts, their overall design exhibiting the influence of contemporary French furniture. In fact, Mclean actually announced in the Times of January 31, 1806, that the firm have `re-opened their Warerooms with a new and elegant assemblage of Parisian furniture'. The present side cabinet with its restrained gilt mounts and fluted columns clearly shows this French influence.  Further advertising on February 11, 1811 that they wished to ` acquaint the Nobility, gentry and Public in general, they have in their Ware rooms a new and elegant assortment of every article of useful and ornamental furniture.... Which being the production of their own manufactory, they are able to offer on terms most advantageous: bedding of every description: pier and Chimney glasses, carpeting & c.'.   

The considerable range of the firm`s wares is illustrated by an extensive account they rendered to George Villiers, 5th Earl of Jersey and his wife, Lady Sarah Fane, heiress of Robert Childe, owner of Osterley Park, for the furnishing of their new house, Middleton Park, Oxfordshire. Covering the period between July 1806 and April 1807, the account totalled £4,793. 11s. 10d and included the making and supplying of furniture, hangings, carpets, wall paper, and window curtains for the bedrooms and principal reception rooms. Attached to this account was a further list of furniture supplied to the Earl`s London residence in Berkeley Square, which included `a Rosewood Pier Table...elegantly mounted in ormolu' and `A Rosewood round library writing table elegantly mounted with ormolu mouldings.' No other commissions appear to be recorded, although there are unlabelled pieces at Harewood House, Grimsthorpe Castle, and Saltram, Devon. Unusually, Mclean`s firm is mentioned in Thomas Sheraton`s Cabinet Dictionary, 1803, a design for a pouch work table illustrated  on p.292 being `taken from one executed by Mr M`Lean in Mary-le-bone street, near Tottenham Court Road, who finishes these small articles in the neatest manner'. Sadly he had financial problems which included the bankruptcy of his son and partner William in 1822 and the firm seems to have ceased to exist by 1825.

The form of the present cabinet with its curved ends and front columns also relates to cabinets believed supplied by William Marsh, under the direction of Henry Holland for Southill Park, Bedfordshire, illustrated  Margaret Jourdain, Regency Furniture 1795-1820, rev. ed. 1948, p.63, fig.10. Holland re-modelled the house for  Samuel Whitbread I (d.1796) and completed the interiors for his son Samuel Whitbread II.