Shakespeare, William--Marshall, John

the lid bearing the monogram of John Marshall surrounded by vine leaves, legend around the sides "Give me the key for this and instantly unlock my fortunes here" [quote from Arragon's speech in The Merchant of Venice, Act II, scene ix], three sides decorated by further branches and leaves, the fourth inscribed "Shakespeares | Mulberry-Wood | J Marshall Carver Statford on Avon", surrounded by arms of Shakesepare and his father, the interior lined with purple velvet, the base lined with green velvet, 130 x 210 x 164mm, [?c.1860]

Sale, Mallams, 22 September 2005, lot 263 (with two page note by previous owner, on New House and Shakespeare's Mulberry Tree, inserted in box)

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when appropriate.
"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."

A CASKET CARVED FROM SHAKESPEARE'S FAMOUS MULBERRY TREE, PLANTED IN HIS GARDEN AT NEW PLACE, STRATFORD-ON-AVON. John Marshall had a shop at 21 Chapel Street between the 1850s and the late 1880s, and was variously described in local trade directories as a "carver, upholsterer and house decorator" (1854), a "curiosity dealer" (1874) and a "dealer in antique furniture and curios" (1884). The shop was two doors from the site of Shakespeare's house, New Place, which had been demolished in 1759 by the Rev. Francis Gastrell, who had also cut down Shakespeare's mulberry tree three years earlier (allegedly to stop the constant stream of tourists knocking at his door). As well as using timber from the tree for smaller items, Marshall also used timber from the beams of one of the barns as another source of wood for many of his carved artifacts (see a similar casket, carved from the oak from Shakespeare's barn, sold in our sale of English Literature & History, 13 July 2006, lot 102).