A pair of George II green-japanned corner cupboards of architectural form, circa 1735

formerly with stands, the moulded pediment with a tympanum decorated with a shell flanked by rinceaux, the frieze, doorframes and corners decorated with chinoiseries, the doors mirrored and flanked by Ionic pilasters in simulated red and gold marble, the insides of the doors decorated with humorous Chinese figures in gilt on red ground

These remarkable cabinets are in good conserved condition, with some retouching to gilding and painting, and minor losses and scratches consistent with age and use. Paint losses to lower section of one in need of attention, and one consolidated shrinking crack to the inside panel of door, whose exterior moulding has been replaced. The other with age cracks, losses and retouching throughout; the lower border underneath the door replaced. Both had stands originally. The base reinforced with metal brackets and wood strips to edges. Of fine quality and great rarity.
"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."

Comparative Literature
Percy Macquoid & Ralph Edwards The Dictionary of English Furniture, 1954, Vol II p. 176, fig.7;
Ralph Edwards, Shorter Dictionary, p. 287, fig.5;
J. De Serre, 'The Antique Dealers Fair', Country Life, 11 June 1948, pp. 178-80, fig.4.;
William Rieder, Living with Antiques, June 1987, p. 1314, pl. II

This exceptional pair of English corner cupboards is distinguished by the unusual architectural nature of the design and the outstanding quality of the green-japanned lacquer surface. A rare survivor from the 2nd quarter of the 18th century, the green finish is uncommon with black or red being a more customary ground to which the gilt heightened line decoration was applied. The inspiration for this type of decoration, which emulated costly imported Chinese lacquer wares, may well have been John Stalker and George Parker’s influential A Treatise of Japanning and Varnishing published in 1688.

While the present lot is perfectly coherent as hanging corner cabinets, and therefore corresponds in type to numerous examples of the period, they originally formed part of a set of four celebrated cupboards mounted on stands. One of the cupboards is illustrated on its stand in Percy Macquoid & Ralph Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, 1954, Vol II p. 176, fig. 7, where Macquoid & Edwards note that stands were ‘a very exceptional feature’. The other pair which retain their stands form part of the renowned Gerstenfeld Collection in Washington (see Ed. Edward Lennox-Boyd, Masterpieces of English Furniture, The Gerstenfeld Collection, London, 1998, p. 34, 109 and 195, pls. 20 and 84).