An important Queen Anne brass-inlaid stained burr maple and yewwood desk-and-bookcase attributed to Coxed and Woster circa 1715

In two sections, the upper section with a double-domed molded cornice above a pair of conforming cupboard doors opening to an interior fitted to the center with three shelves above valanced pigeonholes and small drawers flanked by two banks of seven small drawers surmounted by valanced pigeonholes, the lower section fitted with a slant-front opening to four valanced pigeonholes above a small drawer flanked by folio slides and two banks of three stepped drawers before a sliding panel and leather-lined writing slide, the case fitted with a pair of short drawers above two graduated long drawers raised on bun feet. The whole veneered in enhanced burr maple and inlaid with brass stringing.

Barrington Court, Somerset
Apter-Fredericks, London, 2004

Grosvernor House Antiques Fair, 1988

M. Riccardi-Cubitt, The Art of the Cabinet, plate 61, pp. 108 and 129

Good restored condition; with beautiful color, figuring and surface overall; the tops of the cornice with some minor restorations; tops of both side panels with infilled old worm damage; both doors with minor bowing; veneers are stable; the lower section: the molding that meets with the upper section and the molded apron possibly replaced; the central molding with a replaced section to the right side panel approximately 10 inches in length; the bun feet replaced; the brass handles to the drawer fronts to the lower section also replaced and the drawer fronts with small patches where previous hardware was affixed; overall with some minor nicks, old scratches, bruises and wear; the veneers are stable and the whole with a very nice waxy surface and in lovely condition; minor areas of old worm damage in places consistent with age; sturdy.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The present bureau cabinet is finely veneered in burr maple, a wood often used by John Coxed (fl. 1711-1718) and later Grace Coxed and Thomas Woster (fl. 1719-1735). Trading from the White Swan workshop, St. Paul's Churchyard, the firm labeled their furniture: 'At the White Swan in St. Paul's Church-Yard, London; makes and sells Cabinets, Book-Cases, Chests of Drawers, Scrutores [sic]; and Looking-glasses of all sorts at reasonable Rates.' Adam Bowett, Furniture History, 'Labelled Furniture from the White Swan Workshop (1711-1735),' vol. XXXIX, 2003, pp. 71-98, cautions: 'it must be emphasized that the use of stained burr maple veneers, with or without crossbanding and stringing, does not on its own constitute adequate proof of (Coxed and Woster's) authorship. The technique of staining veneers in this way was widely practiced, and scores of pieces survive which otherwise bear no relation, either technically or stylistically, to the White Swan oeuvre.' Bowett describes the double-arched cornice as 'one of the most popular baroque forms [which] which entailed a great deal more work than the standard flat version and therefore represents a more expensive option;' op. cit., p. 222, fig. 7:54. The removable interior to the upper section is an additional indication of the present bureau cabinet's fine quality.

The present bookcase was probably bought by Colonel Arthur Lyle, in the first quarter of the 20th century as one of the great pieces in his collection at Barrington Court, which he leased from the National Trust in 1917.  Lyle was the grandson of Abram Lyle, who introduced Golden Syrup and was a soldier in the City of London Regiment, the Royal Fusiliers.  The house was built circa 1514 for Henry Daubeney and was probably finished as late as circa 1558 for William Clifton.  The interior had been virtually gutted in 1825 and was restored  from 1921-25 by the architectural firm of Forbes and Tate for Lyle, including historical paneling and period rooms from his collection.

References:

Country Life, September 17, 1908; November 7, 1925; March 17, 1928; March 24, 1928; September 8, 1928; September 9, 1949; July 28, 1960
Nicholas Pevsner N., Buildings of England, South and West Somerset, 1958