A George III Anglo-Indian padouk and hardwood cabinet on stand Vizigapatam, mid 18th Century

profusely inlaid all over with etched ivory, forming borders of flowers and foliage, the dentil inlaid and moulded cornice above a pair of (now) glazed doors each with brass border moulding and central strip, enclosing an arrangement of three long and four short drawers on a conforming stand, with frieze drawer, on cabriole legs, with ball and claw feet

Major General Sir Eyre Coote, 6th son of Rev. Chidley Coote and Jane Evans, sister to Lord Carbery, of Ash Hill, Co. Limerick, a cadet branch of the Cootes premier baronets of Ireland and Earls of Mountrath, eventually of Ballyfin, Co. Laois;
Mealy's, Luggala, Tuesday 2nd May 2006, lot 395;

Comparative Literature: Related cabinets are illustrated in Amin Jaffer, Furniture from British India and Ceylon, A Catalogue of the Collections in the Victoria and Albert Museum, 2001, pp.184-185 and pp.190-192

An exceptional piece on an unusually grand scale. Over all in reasonable condition. There are minor age cracks and losses to the ivory inlay and veneers throughout. Losses to ebonised areas of dental frieze. Notably there are losses to the ivory banding to the top of the stand particularly the corners and edges. The ivory inlay is lifting to some areas. Significant losses to the acanthus carved ivory details on legs especially front and rear left leg, and front right leg. Age cracks to both returns running vertically one of them repaired. The glass is later it was most likely conceived with mirror plate. Metalwork probably period but re-fitted.
"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."

Vizagapatam is situated on the south east coast of India between the Godava River and Nagapatnam, close to the large city of Madras to the south. Since the 17th century it has served as a major port, and has historically been part of the major trading route between Europe and the Far East. Amin Jaffer notes that `Vizagapatam possessed the ingredients necessary for the success of a centre of furniture-making', its fine harbour providing access to many fine timbers including teak, ebony and rosewood which were indigenous to the surrounding Northern Circars region. Other materials, such as ivory from Pegu, padouk and sandalwood were also readily available to the local craftsmen. The area was an old established centre for the manufacture of dyed cottons which had attracted European traders since the 17th century. These included the Dutch who established a trading post at Bimlipatam to the north in 1628, and the English, whose textile factory was founded at Vizagapatam in 1668. In 1768 the whole of the Circars region came under the control of the East India Company.

Curiously, although it is evident from the survival of several pieces of furniture dating from the second quarter of the 18th century, the first written reference to ivory inlaid furniture in Vizagapatam was made in 1756 by a Major John Corneille, who noted that the area was known for the quality of its chintz, which is `esteemed the best in India for the brightness of its colours' and that `the place is likewise remarkable for its inlay work, and justly for they do it to the greatest perfection' (A. Jaffer, op.cit., p. 172).

Furniture from Vizagapatam was often based on either Dutch or English examples, or designs made available through contemporary furniture pattern books. Such derivation is best seen in the suite of ivory-inlaid chairs, now in the British Royal Collection, commissioned by Alexander Wynch, Governor of Fort St. George, the design for which was clearly influenced by Chippendale's Director of 1762.

Although the design of furniture produced by Indian cabinet makers was heavily influenced by European models, its decoration remains purely Indian in character. The broad bands of engraved ivory depict wonderfully exotic foliage with sinuous branches and luscious flowers and fruit. These motifs, first drawn by Indian artists, were initially used as decoration on brightly coloured cotton goods, such as palampores, which had proved to be immensely popular in the west since the 17th century. The clear white of the ivory, ornamented with engraving enhanced by black lacquer, inlaid into rich native timbers, must have proved particularly exciting to the western eye. Towards the end of the 18th century items of furniture were more commonly totally veneered with sheets of engraved ivory, the engraving sometimes incorporating architectural views.