$60,000
Estimate: $40,000 - $60,000
English & Continental Furniture & Decorative Arts
Auction: May 21, 2013 11:00:00 AM EDT
In two sections, the triangular pediment top with gilt bronze mount incorporating a sunburst mask surrounded by foliate scrolls, above two arched cupboard doors opening to a silk lined interior, the lower section with drop-down secretaire drawer mounted with lion's mask handles, opening to a writing surface and seven satinwood drawers and pigeon holes, above two cupboard doors opening to two short drawers over shelves, flanked by satinwood inlaid columns headed by Egyptian masks and continuing to gilt embossed feet, the whole raised on square tapering legs.
H: 69 3/4, W: 30 3/4, D: 19 in.Provenance: Acquired from Mallett, London.
Private collection, Charleston, SC.
LITERATURE: Grosvenor House Antiques Fair Handbook, 1986, p.83.
One of only a small number of cabinets attributable to George Oakley, and one of only two known examples (the other in the M. H. de Young Memorial Museum in San Francisco), with an architectural pediment. Two others of the same form are known, one in the Victoria and Albert Museum (W.15:1 to 14-1930, illustrated in the 'The Dictionary of English Furniture', vol. 1 p. 158, fig. 80), the other with H. Blairman & son (see their catalogue of 1995, no.4).
George Oakley's trade card issued in 1786 listed him as making "General and superb upholstery and cabinet furniture" operating at 22 South side of St. Paul's Church Yard, London. He manufactured exceptional furniture in the high Regency style (later in partnership with Henry Kettle, Thomas Shackleton and John Evans) and exhibited it in his fashionable showrooms at 8 Old Bond street, London. In 1801, the London correspondent of the German 'Journal de Luxus und der Moden' wrote "all people with taste buy their furniture at Oakley's, the most tasteful of the London cabinetmakers". Considered one of the most original furniture designers of his time, he received the Royal warrant in 1799 after a visit by Queen Charlotte, and he received patronage of George IV when Prince of Wales and Prince Regent. His other distinguished patrons included Edward, Lord Lascalles for Harewood House, Hanover Square, London; Thomas Baring at The Manor House, Lee, Kent; and perhaps his best document commission, that for Charles Madryll Cheere at Papworth Hall, Cambridgeshire. The gilt metal ornament on the pediment of the present cabinet is identical that found on a bookcase at Papworth, and the lion's mask drawer pulls are also identical to those on an Oakley wardrobe there.