A pair of George II carved mahogany side cabinets

the grey marble tops with reeded edges above a frieze with raised Greek key ornament between foliate mouldings and with a panelled slide, above two fielded panelled doors with egg and tongue mouldings, flanked by pilasters carved with running entwined sinuous leaves, and supported on solid plinths with inset drawer and rose and dart carved mouldings, alterations, previously the lower right and left cabinets of a breakfront cabinet or bookcase of the George II period,

Overall good general condition. One is rather more faded than the other. Drawers in plinths both later and with later construction to plinths. Both plinths rather scuffed and chipped. They are both highly decorative but the faded cabinet will need to be re-polished 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."

The present cabinets are very much in the style of Williiam Kent. William Kent was born in Yorkshire around 1685-6. From 1709 to 1719 he lived in Italy, studying to be a painter. It is however as an architect he is best known. Even in his student days, his interest  had been directed towards architecture and this had no doubt been stimulated by his meeting there with Lord Burlington in 1716. Three years later he returned to England with him and from then his name was to be inextricably linked with that of his patron. With Palladio as their God and Inigo Jones as their Prophet, they set about the trying to establish a change in English architecture. Kent was the first English architect to take an interest in the interior design of houses. One of his most notable early commissions was in 1722 to secure the interior commission at Kensington Palace, a project that was to last five years. These interiors which also included the furnishings was the first designed entirely by the architect. Other major commissions followed including Walpole`s Houghton Hall for which designs prepared by him for the saloon are believed to be the first surviving evidence for an architect presenting a design for an entire room. By 1730 he was one of the leading architects of the neo-Palladian movement. The present cabinets in a Classical style, albeit in an altered state reflect the influence Kent had on furniture design. The bold Greek key carving on the frieze is a detail seen in his designs, and recurs in many of his other designs in other forms, for comparison see Peter Ward-Jackson, English Furniture Designs of the Eighteenth Century, London, 1984, pl.14-15 and 18. Plate 14 shows an elaborate design for an organ case which in its base incorporates two plinths which are not unlike the form of the present cabinets and gives some indication of the piece from which the present cabinets might have been assembled. The re-modelling of the cabinets probably took place during the first quarter of 19th century. Certainly the marble tops seem to date from this time. The metalwork and drawer construction also seem to indicate this period. During this period a great revival of interest took place in `Antiquarian Furniture' which included the work of William Kent and the present cabinets would seem to be part of that fashionable revival taste of the early 19th century.