Dreweatts 1759
Lot 1
A FINE CHARLES II OLIVEWOOD OYSTER-VENEERED, WALNUT AND FRUITWOOD CROSSBANDED CABINET ON STAND CIRCA 1680The doors opening to an arrangement of drawers centred by a cupboard door, itself opening to a bank of four drawers 151cm high, 93cm wide, 48cm deep overall Provenance: Private collection, Norfolk A closely related cabinet on stand was sold Christies London, Important English Furniture, 25th September 1995, Lot 2868 (£69,000). Another similar example was sold Sotheby's, The Tom Devenish Collection, 24th April 2008, Lot 1, ($73,000). A further related cabinet on stand was sold in these rooms 29th March 2023, lot 1 £21,420 including premium) Condition Report: The cabinet appears to bear its original copal gum and spirit of wine 'varnish' Marks, scratches and abrasions, old splits and chips, Some old losses, repairs and replacements commensurate with age and use. Good rich colour and patina overall The stand with restorations and replacements - some elements showing sign or age and wear, a higher concentration of chips of loss and old worm. The stand overall appears reconstructed, possibly using some 18th or 19th elements. Evidence of a previous central leg can be seen to the underside of the front frieze of the stand - a plugged hole is present where a leg may have been located (see images). Good colour and patina to the legs that matches well with the rest of the cabinet. Metalware:The lock to the long drawer of the stand appears to be late 17th or early 18th century - there is no clear evidence to suggest it is a replacement, but may possibly be. Regarding the handles to the same drawer, the wires securing the handles are partially visible but the paper lining to the drawer makes it impossible to comment any further. The handles to this drawer and all the interior drawers appear to be of the period, with the expected dark marks corresponding to the movement of the current metalware, and with some remnants of gilding - there are no alternate holes visible. The handles may possibly be very old replacements, but there is no clear evidence of this. Lock fittings and door catches to upper doors appear original The lock to the central cupboard door may be possibly be an 18th century replacement - however the present key operates both this lock, and the lock to the main cupboard doors. The brass key escutcheons appear to be late 17th or early 18th century and match each-other in form, They may be original. The escutcheon to the drawer of the stand has a higher concentration of 'pitting' and minor casting faults. Later glued down paper lining to the interior of the drawer of the stand (green) and alternate glued down paper lining to the interior of the drawers of the cabinet (pink/ puce and green variously) which has age and is variously faded/ discoloured and stained. (see additional images) Evidence of old worm as expected for age. To the rear edge of the top of the cabinet and stand , some areas of the original rear panels of the cabinet, there is some fragmentary losses as a result (see additional images). There are some minor losses due to old worm in other positions also. Please refer to all additional images available via email for visual reference to condition. Condition Report Disclaimer
