A GEORGE III SATINWOOD-CROSSBANDED MAHOGANY CHEST

This beautifully made dressing-chest was supplied to the 5th Duke of Bedford by the cabinet-making partnership of William Ince and John Mayhew as part of the extensive works undertaken at Woburn (as well as the Duke of Bedford's London properties) over a period of thirty years, between 1767 and 1797. It was very precisely described in a bill of 1792, including the provision of the locks 'made on purpose to Your Graces own key'. It shares many features - the use of mahogany with satinwood crossbanding, cedar linings to the drawers, and the same design of drop handle - with a side table also attributed to Ince and Mayhew and sold by the Duke of Bedford, 'Property from two Ducal Collections, Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire', Christie's, London, 20-21 September 2004, lot 75 (£16,730).