A LARGE REGENCY BRASS-MOUNTED BURR-OAK AND EBONISED OAK CELLARET

This magnificent sideboard 'wine-cistern' appears to be executed from the baronial oaks acquired from the Drumlanrig estates by the Tenterden Street cabinet-maker George Bullock (d.1818), who was celebrated for his furnishing of 'General' Napoleon's residence on St. Helena, and also for designs contributed to R. Ackerman's, Repository of Arts. His design for a closely related cistern with Thrasyllus wreath survives amongst tracings preserved in the Birmingham City Art Gallery. Richard Bridgens, who had trained with the Liverpool sculptor and modeller George Bullock, later published a pattern for a related cistern in his Furniture with Candelabra and Interior Decoration, 1838. A similar wine-cooler was sold at Christie's, London, 26 June 1986, lot 89 (£19,440, including premium).