Woolley & Wallis
Los 323
A GERMAN KINGWOOD AND BRASS MOUNTED TEA CHEST ATTRIBUTED TO ABRAHAM ROENTGEN, C.1750-60 the sarcophagus top with a brass swing handle, the front with a pierced brass cartouche shape escutcheon, the silk lined interior with three brass canisters, the central one with a domed cover and a twin interior, the circular covers with star decoration in low relief, the base with a spring operated secret drawer to the right hand side released by a button hidden when the cover is closed, on bracket feet, with a key, probably original, and a bright cut, Sheffield plate caddy spoon 15.5cm high, 22cm wide, 13.8cm deep Catalogue Note Abraham Roentgen (1711-1793) was a German ebeniste. He was born in Müllheim, Germany and learned cabinet making in his father's workshop, he then worked as an apprentice in the Hague before settling in London in 1731. He ran the Roentgen firm from 1742 to about 1800 together with his son, David. Abraham's then worked as a was characterised by superb marquetry and innovative designs, often incorporating hidden compartments, secret drawers and mechanical and musical devices and his work was sought after by rulers throughout Europe. One of his most famous pieces is the Walderdorffer bureau, now in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. For similar tea chests, see W. Koeppe, 'Boxes from the Workshop of Abraham Roentgen in American Collections', pp.104-105 and the Met Museum, New York, Accession Number 1999.147 for an example lacking its canisters. For recent auction sales, see Lempertz Cologne, Decorative Arts, 20th May 2022, lot 1810 for an example with a different escutcheon. Christie's, European Furniture, Works of Art and Carpets, 24th September 2003, lot 287 for a similar example to that being offered but lacking its canisters. Christie's, Furniture, Clocks, Sculptures and Works of Art, 27 September 2001, lot 687 for an almost identical example that included the canisters.
