Live Auction 14224The Collector: English Furniture, Clocks & Works of Art
A GEORGE III MAHOGANY SERPENTINE CHEST
Lot 11 88 FULHAM ROAD, SOLD UNDER THE DIRECTION OF MICHAEL HUGHES LTD AND PETER LIPITCH LTD (LOTS 1-76)

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY SERPENTINE CHEST

BY HENRY KETTLE, CIRCA 1790

Closed15 November 2017

Price Realised

GBP 1,375

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A GEORGE III MAHOGANY SERPENTINE CHEST
BY HENRY KETTLE, CIRCA 1790
The shaped superstructure with inlaid quatrefoils, on satinwood-crossbanded serpentine top, above five graduated cedar-lined frieze drawers, each with original brass swing handles with acanthus-centred plate, with shaped apron and splayed bracket feet, the top drawer with label for 'HENRY KETTLE, NO. 23 ST PAUL's CHURCH-YARD, LONDON'
70 ½ in. (179 cm.) high; 36 ¼ in. (92 cm.) wide; 26 ¼ in. (67 cm.) deep

Anonymous sale, Sotheby's, New York, 13 October 1994, lot 461.

Specialist note

Henry Kettle entered into partnership around 1770 with William Henshaw, an established cabinet-maker of 18 St Paul's Church Yard, and in 1774 took over the neighbouring business firm of Philip Bell at 23 St Paul's Church Yard.
Items that bear Kettle's label include sober mahogany pieces that seem to reflect an earlier style typical of Bell's oeuvre, while Kettle's own style favoured a lighter look, often using contrasting veneers of exotic woods and boxwood stringing reflecting the fashion promoted by Messr's Hepplewhite and Sheraton. Indeed Kettle subscribed to Sheraton's Drawing Book in 1773.