A Regency rosewood side cabinet circa 1815, by George Bullock

with a white marble top above seven drawers each stamped G Bullock flanked by cupboards enclosing shelves, one drawer with a paper label THE BRITISH ANTIQUE DEALERS ASSOCIATION/ ART TREASURES EXHIBITION BATH 1958/ EXH. No 170, sold with a copy of the exhibition catalogue

The Art Treasures Exhibition Bath, 1958, no 170, The British Antique Dealers Association

Clive Wainwright, George Bullock Cabinet-Maker, London, 1988, p.104

Of pleasing proportions. The marble top is generally good although has old marks and scratches. There are old marks and scratches from age and use. The grills on each door maybe finely made replacements, if not they have been well restored. The silk to reverse of each is later/ The reverse of each is uses black tape to secure fixing positions. Feet probably re-gilt.
"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."

George Bullock (b.1777/1778-1818) is noted as being in London in 1798 by J W Langford in A Century of Birmingham Life, 1868, where he is described as a `young artist who gained such great repute in Birmingham'. In 1804 he showed a marble bust of Blundell at the Royal Academy and in the same year he appears in the Liverpool Directory as `Bullock, George, Modeller and Sculptor, Lord Street'. In 1805 his business was entitled `Bullock & Stoakes Cabinet Makers, General Furnishers and Marble Workers 48 Church Street'. After various other partnerships in Liverpool, the contents of his Liverpool premises, which were described as `Fashionable Modern Furniture' were sold and he returned to London. In 1813 he was described as `Bullock, George upholsterers, Grecian Rooms, Egyptian Hall Piccadilly' and in 1815 as `Sculptor, 4 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, Mona Marble and Furniture Works, Oxford Street', remaining at these premises until his death in 1818.

His furniture is remarkable for his use of indigenous English woods such as oak, inlaid with more exotic varieties and the lavish use of brass inlays and gilded mounts. The sale of the stock remaining at his death included `The Superb Furniture and Sculptured Articles of Beautiful Mona Marble... the whole of the finished stock of that highly ingenious artist'.

Bullock had many distinguished clients which included Mathew Robinson Boulton, the son of the celebrated Matthew Boulton of Birmingham, at Great Tew, the Earl of Mansfield, the Duke of Atholl and Sir Walter Scott at Abbotsford.

Bullock also supplied the furnishings for Napoleon`s home in exile, on the Isle of St. Helena. A pair of bookcases made by him was supplied for the breakfast room and one is illustrated in Clive Wainwright, George Bullock, Cabinet-Maker, London, 1988, pp. 102-3 and it is interesting to note that the top part of this cabinet shares the same metalwork as the present lot. Wainright, op. cit. p.104 mentions `Another small cabinet of similar form, without the upper part and fitted with small drawers, is now in a private collection in London'. This is believed to refer to the present lot.

It is interesting to note that the cabinet is stamped G Bullock on the top edge of all of the drawers. At the time that the Blairman Exhibition catalogue was written, only one other example was known bearing Bullock`s stamp. This piece is illustrated on p.66, op.cit. Since then a further example has been sold through these rooms, Sotheby`s London, Fine Furniture, Tapestries, Ceramics, Clocks, Silver and Carpets, 13th April 2011, lot 384.