A Regency rosewood and brass-inlaid coin or medal cabinet, circa 1820, in the manner of Louis le Gaigneur

profusely inlaid with brass, the reverse breakfront top with pierced brass gallery above seven mahogany-lined drawers to top section and eight mahogany-lined drawers to the lower section, between scroll outset volutes, with a stepped plinth

With Galerie Regency, Paris, 1989;
Acquired from Denys Wrey Ltd., London;
Christie's, New York, Important English Furniture, 13 April 2000, lot 26

London, Victoria and Albert Museum, CINOA International Art Treasures Exhibition, 1962;
London, The Grosvenor House Antiques Fair, 1989 (exhibited by Galerie Regency, Paris and illustrated in the Handbook, p.264);
Boston, Museum of Fine Arts, on public exhibition from 1977-1999.

Overall this piece is in very good condition. The top appears to have been re-polished but other wise colour and patina are both very good. The overall quality is exceptional. The brass is lifting slightly on the top left hand side. The brass is also lifting slightly on the lower section, left hand side due to slight movement and warping of the timber. The right hand lower section has similar movement and minor consequent lifting of the brass. None of these significantly detract. There is a small age crack to the front ledge, left hand side. Brass lifting slightly on plinth. Two locks and escucheons are missing. Minor patching of veneers and minor chips. Old marks and scratches.
"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 style of the present cabinet exemplifies the taste of the English aristocracy in the first quarter of 19th century for French designs of the Ancien regime based on examples made by the French royal ébéniste Andre-Charles Boulle and the designs of Jean Bérain. A leading exponent of this style was the Prince Regent.

There were several cabinet makers working at this period who specialised in this type of work, such as Thomas Parker (active 1805-1830) and the firm Town and Emanuel, but the most prominent was Louis le Gaigneur (active 1814-1821).  A French trained cabinet-maker and upholder, Le Gaigneur established his Buhl Manufactory at 19 Queen Street, Edgware Road circa 1815 and specialised in brass inlaid furniture in the newly revived Louis Quatorze style. His clients included such distinguished patrons as the Prince Regent and the 3rd Marquess of Hertford, and library tables bearing Le Gaigneur’s signature are preserved in the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle and the Wallace Collection (illustrated in P. Hughes, The Wallace Collection: Catalogue of Furniture, vol. II, no. 167, p. 785-789).