A GEORGE III SATINWOOD SECRETAIRE-CABINET

The elegant bookcase is embellished with arcaded cornice and mosaiced glazing in the fashion popularised by patterns published in The Cabinet-Maker's London Book of Prices, 1793, plate 15 (glazing patterns), while its bureau is concealed behind trompe l'oeil drawers in a chest whose pointed and arched 'lambrequin' apron accompanies Grecian-scrolled feet. Its form and ornament, invented around 1780, was popularised by Messrs A. Hepplewhite & Co.'s, Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Guide, 1788.
A golden satinwood chest-of-drawers, ribbon-banded in 'purplewood' and with the same patterned apron and feet featured in the 1789 'Estimate Sketch Book' of Gillow of London and Lancaster (L. Boynton, Gillow Furniture Designs 1760-1800; Royston, 1995, fig. 118). A closely related secretaire, but with Gothic pattern of glazing bars in the upper section and formerly in the collection of Viscountess Leverhulme, was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 7 June 2007, lot 164 (£38,400).